Articles From Our Bulletins
Looking For and Seeing "the Good"
I’m not a “sunshine” and “rainbows” kind of guy, at least not typically. But in the face of such dim realities such as the current state of the Texas Gulf Coast (the Houston area is getting a lot of focus due to its massive population, but the devastating effects of the storm reach from Louisiana to Corpus Christi- roughly 325+ miles of coastline, and inland for hundreds of miles also in some areas), “sunshine” and “rainbows” are the things many want to see the most. While sunshine and rainbows are God’s department, perhaps there are a few other positives available for us to “see” in this time of devastation and destruction...
We see people understanding that “stuff” doesn’t really matter. Yes, I know that many of our most valued possessions are keepsakes and photos and the like- but these are just physical triggers of precious memories. Though we may be heartbroken at the loss of these things, the memories remain just as precious without them. The rest of the physical possessions can be replaced, at least over time. Homes can be rebuilt; furniture can be replaced; autos can be repaired or replaced; stores can be replenished- these are not what is really important. So, through the storm we “see” the wisdom of Jesus’ words, “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” Matthew 6:20-21.
We see people doing what they can. Human beings are so full of potential- potential for good, potential for love, potential for self-sacrifice. However, for many of us, the potential is rarely realized… at least until there is a “slap-you-in-the-face-to-wake-you-up” opportunity. Then we are reminded not so much of what should be done, but of what I can do. Thus, we see people with little sharing with those who have nothing. We see people with much, giving generously and abundantly. We see people doing what they can, rather than finding excuses for doing nothing. We “see” the eternal testimony of Mary, who was praised by the Lord for having “done what she could…” Mark14:8-9, and are inspired by others doing likewise, and stimulated by their examples.
We see people remembering that people are people. Race doesn’t matter when the winds and rains have brought floods. Pictures of a black man carrying two white children through waist deep water, a white man carrying an Asian woman and her baby to solid (if not dry) ground, an Indian woman and Filipino and Hispanic men struggling to carry a wheel-chair bound elderly white woman to safety, and a human chain of 20+ people braving chest-high rushing water to rescue an elderly white man from his stranded vehicle all prove one thing: when it comes right down to it, we’re all just people, and race doesn’t matter one bit. Each and every life matters. All the First Responders, the Cajun Navy, the Waco Navy, and every boat owner that put themselves in danger didn’t care one whit what color someone’s skin was- their lives were in peril. We see people loving people as God loves them, completely and sacrificially. Through the storm, we “see” people remembering we are made in the image of a God who “shows no partiality,” Galatians 2:6.
We see people everywhere praying and looking to God. Please understand that the original world God created for man was good- in fact it was a garden paradise where every need of his body and heart were provided, cf. Genesis 1:31; 2:9ff. There were no hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods upon the earth until the corrupting influence of Satan introduced sin into the world. Thus, these so-called “natural disasters” were neither the intention nor product of God’s creation, but resulted from Satan’s handiwork, and have been an ever-present plague on humanity since. Satan uses these things to get us to blame God, and turn from Him. But alas, we see the opposite effect. We “see” people turning to God, realizing that He is the ultimate source of all good things, and the very hope of salvation. “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow,” James 1:16-17.
So, while we turn to God in faith and prayer, and do what we can to help those in need, perhaps we can also take a moment to look for and focus upon the “good”- even in this time of peril and destruction. May God bless and keep you all!
- Looking_For_and_Seeing_the.pdf (76.35 kB)
