Katrina

The topic of the week, it seems. It’s hard to go anywhere or do anything now that you don’t hear about the hurricane and its effect on those in Louisiana. Nor should we forget about what happened to them. As I ride to and from work every day I do a lot of channel switching and listen to talk shows (when I’m not cranking up the music) of all different types and varieties. As you might expect, I tend to listen to the two Christian stations I pick up on my ride home, the local Protestant station and the local Catholic station. It’s interesting to hear all the perspectives of the tragedy and God’s role in all of it. I think I’ve heard just about every explanation for this that could be out there. Opinions ranging from “This is God’s punishment to that decadent city of New Orleans” to “God would never use natural disasters to punish people, they’re just a consequence of the physical world and too cruel for God to use.” As usual, I believe scripture points to a position somewhere in between.

To those who would call this God’s punishment to the people of New Orleans I would point out a few things:

• If it is a specific punishment, then God’s aim sucks. There is so much “collateral damage” that will come from this that many, many “innocent” (or as innocent as any of us can be with original sin) people to whom N.O.’s sin cannot be applied were hurt.


• Scripture teaches us that “natural” disasters occur and that when we focus on the sin of the people involved, we’re really missing the big picture. Look at the Gospel of Luke, chapter 13. A natural disaster occurred when a tower fell and killed 18. Rather than feeling superior and safe in our sheltered worlds, perhaps we need to be looking around for our own disasters. God help us if we ever receive the due punishment for our sins. Reconcile with God now, listen to the calling of the Holy Spirit and repent while there is still time.


• One should always be cautious about speaking in the name of God. As a prophet, one is held to a high standard. And when one is speaking God’s wrath on a group of people, you darn well better know what you’re talking about. And claiming to know the secret will of God (unless he has specifically revealed it) is not somewhere I want to go carelessly.

To those who would say that this is just a “random” happening I would say the following:

• There is no such thing as a random happening. If you accept scripture, I would point you toward areas such as Hebrews 1:3 where it is testified that the world is sustained through the power of His Word. Or how about Matthew 10: 29 where we are told that even the falling of the sparrow does not occur apart from the will of the Father? If you do not accept scripture then I would pray that the Holy Spirit reveal himself and draw you close to Him as the Father wills. Please know that there is a loving God over all of this.


• God the Father has used natural disasters to punish his creation. Flood (Genesis 7), plague (Exodus 8-12, 32), stories of disasters to come in the book of Revelation. It’s His world to use and it will be used to His glory.

Look at the Gospel of John, Chapter 9. Tragedies occur, but they provide us the opportunity to show God’s love to people and to see God working through all our lives. Here is where faith is truly put to the test, but here is where faith is ultimately proven. God loves. God is love and He’s there grieving and strengthening the people that call on His name. I don’t know how many people are going to read this, but I am sure that those who are drawn to will read it with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Find opportunities to help. Many of us will not be able to go and assist, but at the very least make sacrifices and give sacrificially to organizations that are helping. Two that I would recommend are:

• Lutheran Church Missouri Synod World Relief and Human Care (click here to go to their site)

• American Red Cross (click here to go to their site)

Continue to pray for the survivors and refugees.

Jim