Response: Haiti

Today in the nation of Haiti children are waking up as orphans, parents are grieving the loss of their children, people are crushed in body and in spirit. Images of suffering (that we have the luxury of escaping) surround those in the midst of the Haitian ruins. Today people are crying out in pain, terror, and deep anguish as they witness first hand the weight of nature's worst offering.
(see pictures of the devastation in Haiti)

The magnitude of this destruction forces me to ask questions: "How could this happen? God, where are you?" I'm compelled to find answers in some way. Someone/something has to be accountable be it some kind of supreme deity who "controls" all things or the person that makes outrageous and insensitive claims about the people bringing it upon themselves (see Pat Robertson's comments). Someone/something has to be responsible. Someone/Something has to give an account for the suffering.

As I read the scriptures and understand the scope of the Christian tradition I am reverted back not to the "why" but to the "who". "Who is this 'God'?" Scripture tells us that the nature of God is one that does not "willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone" (Lam. 3:27), that his care is for the poor, the oppressed, the orphan, the widow, the suffering, and the afflicted (Ex. 22:2, Lev. 25, Deut. 15:7; Ps. 10:14; 34:18; 68:5). Jesus reminds us that the posture of God is a loving father (Mt. 7:9-12) driven by a redemptive love that rebuilds all that was lost (Jer. 33, Rev. 21:1-5) in the midst of a broken and fragmented creation (Rom. 8:20-22).

As God's nature comes into clearer focus I am less compelled to seek responsibility from "others" for the suffering but rather ask a new set of questions:

How will I give an account for the suffering that I have witnessed?

The prophet Micah calls us to act in ways (both in word and deed) that exude mercy, justice, and humility. James, the brother of Jesus, writes that true, "faultless" religion is not expousing unhelpful theologies on a TV show, but rather happens when we "look after orphans and widows in their distress" (Jas. 1:27).

How will my identity in Christ move me in response?

We may feel like we are a helpless to the events in Haiti but here are some suggestions on how you can respond:

1. Read/inform yourself on the tragedy and suffering: The more we understand the depth of destruction (both immediate and to come) the more we find ourselves in solidarity with those in need. (check out various stories at TIME)

2. Give to an organization already at work in Haiti (American Red Cross, Covenant World Relief): As people who have been given so much we have the opportunity to leverage our resources to make a difference. Although finding funds to give may be difficult maybe you can find creative ways to give (instead of buying bottled water over the next few months or doing various home improvements around the house, use that money to aid in the relief and rebuilding effort in Haiti).

3. Pray: Pray that the world community steps up in the aid and rebuilding process. Pray that the resources and supplies given, get to those in need. Pray for all the relief workers who are present in Haiti. Pray for open transportation routes so that the injured can get treatment and supplies can move freely. Pray against the spread of disease. Pray for those who are in deep mourning over the loss of loved ones.

May our response to our brothers and sisters in Haiti reflect the God we serve. Peace.

Keep'em Happy (The Next Evangelicalism pt.4)

"Our short-term desire to keep our church attendees happy has led to an effective ministry that serves white, middle-class suburbanites but has essentially become irrelevant in proclaiming and demonstrating the kingdom principles of peace and justice".

Soong-Chan Rah, The Next Evangelicalism

Take Home Folder Hero

Every day when our kids come home from school Misty and I take a minute and go through their "take-home" folders. Checking through their folders is an opportunity for us to discover what our kids are learning, creating, and thinking about.

This past week our middle child, Luke, came home with his folder. Filled with various construction-paper-glue-stick-creations, a spelling pre-test, and this: the description of a hero.

Illustrated to hit home his particular definition of a hero, Luke appropriately points out that heroes do things like pull people out of "big, big" burning buildings and take people to the hospital. For further clarification on who can be he hero he writes: "Dogs also save lives"... yes it's true, even a dog can be a hero. For Luke what makes a hero is not confined to a vocation, but rather expressed in the result of their actions. Quite simply..."They save lives".

The prophet Zachariah writes: "This is what the Lord Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.'" (7:9-10)

When we practice the words of God and we work to bring justice, mercy, and compassion we "save lives". When we fight against systems that are unfairly stacked against the poor and the alien we "save lives". And when we over-come acts of evil with our own relentless pursuit of love we "save lives".

While we may never have a profession that compels us to run into burning buildings for the safety of others, each day we have opportunities to respond to the "fires" of our world in ways that bring rescue, hope, and healing. We are compelled not by our own grander to be labeled as a "hero", but rather through our identity as God's children to be the kind of people that participate in "saving lives".

How can you be involved in "just ways" in your community? Are there people (or people groups) around you that need to be overwhelmed with mercy and compassion? How are you "plotting love" in your daily living?

Rising Up (Philemon: A Response Of Hope pt.4)

Oppression occurs when people are abused, neglected, and treated unfairly. When another human being's rights are violated for any reason injustice is close at hand.

Injustice preys on those considered to be "weak" (the poor, children, elderly, minorities). Acts of oppression are fueled by the "powerful", the greedy, selfish, and the violent. Oppression tears apart that fabric of another human being's image and self worth.

Justice is at the very heart of God: "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you" - Psalm 89:14

Because of God's heart he calls us to be a voice and advocate for the afflicted: "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed" - Psalm 82:3

God's pursuit of justice for all people is a theme that carries on all throughout the Scriptures. The question is not "What does God think about injustice?", but rather "What are we doing in light of God's heart for the oppressed?" (listen to podcast "rising up against injustice").

Where do you see injustice and oppression today? What are practical things that followers of Jesus can do to break the chains of injustice?