First, let me apologize for the extended absence! As many of you know, I have had a very busy few months-getting married, becoming a youth pastor, getting a new apartment. It's been pretty crazy around here! I'm sure that you all understand.
Now, something else has happened in the past few months that I wanted to talk about (if you haven't guessed from the title...). On Tuesday the 12th of January, 2010, a 7.0 earthquake rocked much of the country of Haiti. This event has been absolutely devastating with some estimates saying that 250,000+ may be dead. When something like this happens (remember the Tsunami in SE Asia?), it's natural to find people asking "why?" We as believers should be ready to answer that question. So, I wanted to give you all my take (sorta) on the things that have transpired.
Read Luke 13:1-5.
"Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
Jesus' answer is pretty straight forward. "Listen guys, I know you want to think that just because something tragic happens to many people in a certain area, it was because they did something more evil than anyone else. Let me tell you the truth: everyone is going to die. It's the fate of humanity. That is why it is so important that we tell everyone the good news of God so that when their time does come, they will be in right standing with God."
Bad stuff happens all the time, everywhere. We live in a world that was ripped from it's intended purpose with God and man. Jesus came to heal that wound. What we need to do is participate with Christ in healing when these things happen. We need to be able to lend the hand Jesus to those who are suffering, because Jesus' hand is the only one that can heal.
