I see updates on the increasing number of casualties and death as well as numerous please, religious and otherwise, to help, either by donation or serving. I hear of weeping over images which pour from this devastated region. As I paused to examine a set of pictures, I am struck by a few thoughts:
1) I PRAY: Merciful, loving GOD, please be very near to these hurting people right now! In Your Sovereignty, You knew that the broken earth would heave and give on this day at this time. Please speak through Your Spirit and through Your children words of comfort, healing and life during this time of despair and death.
2) I HURT for the people whom I see in the pictures and the ones I don’t see whose stories may not be captured, but which are equally as important to God.
3) I HOPE because I see men and women in rescue attire preparing and travelling already to provide relief. Servants, many of God and many of humanity, who will sacrifice comfort and give of themselves to help people they don’t even know.
This tired, groaning earth has seen disasters before and will certainly see more before all is said and done. But now, today, I pause and reflect on my life. What if it was MY world that crumbled around me and fell in on me? I know I am ready should this life come to an end, but would I find comfort in knowing that I had made an investment in the lives of people around me that would live on beyond myself? In the words of Scripture: “Selah” – “pause and reflect”.
