How to take a spiritual and moral approach to natural disasters
Scripture reading: Matthew 24:6-14. Text: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. THERE WILL BE FAMINES AND EARTHQUAKES in various places.” Matthew 24:6-7. The water is subsiding in New Orleans, normalcy is slowly restored and hopefully our thinking is becoming more objective. Concerning that great disaster Hurricane Katrina wreaked on the people in the South, there are many questions we cannot answer or explain. After every tragedy, (e.g. September 11, 2001, or tsunami in December 2004 in Asia) we can raise the question: How can God permit these to happen? How could God permit to take place the first and second world wars, the Korean and the Vietnam Wars, earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons and mine explosions or traffic accidents? Is God’s providence a foolproof divine protection? It is not. Instead of straining our brain to find out why God has not intervened in nature’s extreme devastation or freak human behavior on our behalf, let us see what are the spiritual and moral lessons of these tragedies, disasters and destructions. Our text clearly says we will have to face heartbreaking events.
LET US THINK TOGETHER AND FIND THE SOLUTION AS A COMMUNITY. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ANSWER?
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES of our government on federal, state, county and local levels? Which of these policies do we prefer, centralize or decentralize? If we are against a strong central government (let the people make their own decision) then can we expect the federal government do everything for us? Are we eager or reluctant to pay taxes? Preparation requires financial resources, are we willing to pay for it?
PROCEDURE VERSUS QUICK ACTION. There are times when split second decisions have be made, however, especially our leaders should follow the legal procedure. Legal requirements and bureaucratic procedures slow down actions that need immediate attention. Can the federal government act fast in a given community without the permission of the state and local authorities?
20/20 FORESIGHT and HINDSIGHT. Who knows in advance, what will happen exactly? Can hurricanes change their predicted course? It already happened. Have not we been caught so many times by the “TOO SOON” or “TOO LATE” dilemma? It is so easy to say AFTERWARD “It should have been done better, and/or earlier, and/or faster.”
TRAGEDIES BRING OUT THE WORST AND THE BEST FROM THE PEOPLE. Unfortunately, there was looting as the law and order collapsed, however, there were people who opened their hearts, homes, and financial resources to help and alleviate the sufferings.
THE INDIVIDUAL VERSUS THE COMMUNITY. We like to emphasize the individuals’ rights and privileges and how important it is that every person should be happy and satisfied, however, to offer something fast and great we need a strong and cooperative community. After Hurricane Katrina can we say: “I am not a joiner?” Now the government, organizations and churches should help the victims immediately, but are there strong organizations and churches without generous members and dedicated volunteers?
THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT is very important especially in crucial times. The relationship between “I” and “WE” is supposed to be healthy and strong. Will constant criticism and objections weaken the community spirit? You may say now that the problem are theirs and not mine, but are you sure that in the near future you will not need the help and assistance of your government, community and neighbor? Can we maintain a fruitful relationship among ourselves without taking seriously that we are God’s children? Disaster does not differentiate among people according to social status.
DURING LIFE-THREATENING TIME, WE CAN SEE IN A DIFFERENT WAY WHAT ARE LUXURIES AND NECESSITIES. We like to enjoy the benefit of our income and make our life comfortable; however, in other countries people are more eager to save for rainy days. Legally speaking what you have earned is yours, but the Bible says whatever we have was given to us to utilize for noble purposes. Please read the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-28. “What do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Corinthians 4:7.
LIFE IS NOTING ELSE BUT PREPARATION. We go to school to prepare ourselves for life, mothers prepare the meal, planners prepare the future and we should to prepare ourselves to meet our Creator. Our Savior made it clear: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:42. Also: “prepare to meet your God.” Amos 4:12.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.