...what can we do?
Last week's devastating earthquake & tsunami in Japan has left us all in a state of shock, that such destruction can happen so quickly over such an enormous area, we're speechless.
At times like this many ask the question 'why' and I think that's part of being human to want to know why tragedy happens. People have been asking the question forever and as yet I see no good answer, but I also don't have a good answer as to why I am so richly blessed, why me and you who will read this blog are some of the most fortunate people in the whole of the worlds history in terms of wealth, health, life expectancy and leisure. But I do know who has the answers.
Also at times like this we're at a loss for what we can do to help so many miles away but trust me, there is plenty of joyful work for us to do to show our love for the people of Japan and other areas affected by this terrible disaster. The work isn't hard but it does take effort, thought and commitment, are we ready for it?
1. We can pray...
- For the injured, homeless, grieving people we can pray for healing, hope, shelter and comfort
- For the emergency rescue services, armed forces, medical professionals and others coming to their aid we can pray for strength, wisdom, compassion, discernment and protection
- For governments and aid agencies we can pray for wisdom, compassion, discernment, collaboration and decisiveness
- For the rest of the world as we look on we can pray for compassion, generosity and unceasing prayer
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him"
1 John 5:14-15
(Above are links to the Japanese Earthquake relief donation sites)
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
3. We can promise to not forget...
'Compassion fatigue' is something that we all susceptible to; there are so many needy causes, so many good things we could do with our prayers, money and time. Who will be there for the people of Japan when the earthquake and tsunami are no longer big news? Will it be us?
"All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor..."
Galatians 2:20
I don't know why everything fell apart for the people affected by the events in Japan or anywhere else where tragedy strikes whether at home or far away. What I DO know is that I have a God who listens to my prayers and promises to hear and answer them. I have money, time and resources to help those in need and to quote Bob Pearce the founder of World Vision I too have a desire to "Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God" and to bless others as a result.
x
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