Because of the serious Wallstreet crisis, the misery caused by Hurricane Ike, and even Gustuv earlier, has been pushed into the background to some degree. In Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city, most still have no power, with little relief expected for another week or more. The devastation was reminiscent of Katrina with some coastal areas having been literally wiped off the map. Many affected residents are currently waiting in long lines at supply distribution centers set up in Houston to hand out food, water and ice.
About 6 weeks after Katrina stuck the Gulf coast, I was able to lead volunteers from our church in New Jersey to a small obliterated church in Lakeshore, Mississippi – one of my eventual 5 trips there. But I will never forget the moment of total horror and disbelief upon opening my car door and stepping out onto the empty slab where the small white church had been. Speechless does not even begin to describe the instant reaction. On that same trip, some of us from our church actually stood in a FEMA distribution center in order to hand out basic life-giving supplies to our suffering fellow Americans – some of whom still appeared to be in shock!
But immediately after the storm brought its 40’ storm surge through the quiet community, Lakeshore Baptist church, led by Pastor Don Elbourne, began to act. Their efforts involved coordinating the many who would travel great distances to give of themselves for the worthy cause. These came to help people they never knew or would ever meet. Equally amazing was that the church there reached out to the community first and postponed meeting its own needs including the rebuilding of their own facility. This selfless attitude had an amazing impact, especially upon the the attitudes of many who had previously had little or no interest in spiritual things.
The relief work of the numerous volunteers, which continues on even now, was a practical living out of Jesus’ own words in John 13:34-35. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." In the case of Katrina, that love flowed through stunning acts of hands-on sacrificial service. The Samaritan’s Purse relief organization called those who got personally invoved in the efforts, “The Hands and Feet of Christ”.
While scores of citizens nervously wait on the destiny of their earthly investments, a number of their fellow citizens now wait in food and water lines in Texas. Some may return and partake of the free rations while sitting along side a pile of their, now unrecognizable, earthly possessions. Others might even carry their humble meals back to a vacant lot where their home once stood.
In Galatians 6 the Apostle Paul spoke to ‘all’ believers concerning their God-given responsibilities and the treatment of others. In verse 8-10 he penned, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
The recent natural disasters have been, in a word, ‘overwhelming’. But they bring with them a positive term – ‘opportunity’. Christians have been given a glorious opportunity in the midst of tragedy to pray and tangibly display Christ's love to those who know Him and to those who desperately need to! And any who take this to heart, and act accordingly, are given God's promise of reaping blessings of their own “in due season”.
Bill Breckenridge
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