Thoughts on Haiti

Yesterday evening, there was a great earthquake in Haiti. The capital, Port-Au-Prince has been decimated. News reports from the Internet and on the networks are reporting such widespread devastation has not been seen.



Today, I'm experiencing a visceral response to all this. Although I am usually moved with compassion (and with my checkbook, however small my donations may be at times) when tragedy strikes here and abroad, this feels very different. When I turned on the news and saw the complete annihilation of that city, and I'm sure the surrounding areas, I cried. Not that I don't cry. I just am not one that usually is moved to tears and the level of sadness that I felt over watching the horrors on the screen today.



I read my devotional today from Hannah W. Smith's writing in God is Enough. I thought that God is Enough. Here, there and everywhere. He is Enough. Many may ask, especially at such times, where is a loving God at such a time as this? Or, how could a loving God allow this to happen? I heard Pat Robertson say that the Haitians had been in a 'deal with the devil' for years (since the French occupation - I assume Napoleon, but I haven't looked that up yet) My impression was that somehow, he was implying that the earthquake was God's retribution for these sins. Whether that is the case or not, it is not appropriate.



When tragedy strikes, I am always dismayed that many people blame God, or worse, the victims for the situation. If a person states such an opinion as Robertson did, it serves little purpose TODAY to voice those opinions. I am not aware of any unbelievers who ever came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by being beaten over the head with religion. And for those types of public statements, to be broadcast on FoxNews, or other major media - out of context; without any historical and religious backstory, is just downright insensitive. Just the opposite of what the victims and bewildered people need! It only serves to make Christians sound like the lunatic fringe - when in fact, that is for the most part, the furthest from the truth.

Jesus taught us to love one another, to have compassion for our fellow man, to reach out to a hurting world; to honor and glorify God the Father above all else. By the vast response of many Christian humanitarian organizations on the ground in Haiti, with supplies, and the presence of people to aid the victims, that's what we show. The love of Christ.

If people in the spotlight, who do not appear to consider the feelings of the audience, are doing more harm than good. That imperfection of man is why we need to always keep our eyes on God the Father, and Jesus the Christ, through the Holy Spirit - and not on mortal men!

In my frustration I know God is Enough. He's enough to handle any and all of the people in need, and God is Enough to handle the insensitive remarks of a few, and of the people who hear them.