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August 05, 2008
Where Have You Seen GOD Today?
11 So He said, "Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD " And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing." 1 Kings 19: 11-12
It’s a usual question asked of mission workers: “Where have you seen GOD today?"
While working in disaster recovery, it helps to note that in 1 Kings 19: 11-12, GOD is not found in the storms, winds, earthquakes or fires. It is not arguable that GOD created these things, but our reaction to them is also given by GOD.
Instead of, “Why did GOD let this happen?" a missionary’s response is, “How can I best serve GOD to glorify his works?"
It’s not always easy to see through the rubble, the debris, the broken hearts. It’s not always easy to figure out where to start cleaning up from a disaster. It’s not always easy to realize that even we cannot fix this ourselves. It’s not always easy to wander far from our homes, subjecting ourselves to sparse accommodations, exposing ourselves to unknown obstacles, wondering about meals, missing our families and friends.
But for some reason, we do it. With joy no less, we empty ourselves. We give away what we know, and venture out of our comfort zones, if only for a few days, or a week, or maybe nine days. Still, it’s enough to make us want more challenges, more healing.
We see disasters as opportunities to help others. We believe we will make things the same, or maybe even better, than they were before. We believe we are sent not only to repair homes, but to heal hearts, as well. We believe our faith in good works, shows. We believe our experience will be blessed in some way, and it always is. We hope our devotion to our work elevates and increases the faith of those we attend. We hope our example inspires a chain reaction; a continuum of care.
jak
Posted by jaselin at August 5, 2008 01:01 PM