Tragedies and R&R

I work hard. I don’t say that to brag or to seek affirmation or even sympathy. It’s just a matter of truth. I work hard. Chances are, so do you. With such hard work, comes a period of tiredness, that requires rest and relaxation, a period of recharging if you will. After a hard (yet great) final year at LST and my first year of ministry at GBC I have been blessed enough to go on holiday with family to France. Thanks to the in-laws, we’ve been able to take a couple of weeks off, in a lovely part of the world, in a house surrounded by natural beauty, with a pool and great food. It is blissful… but then, reality kicks in…

I am not good at doing ‘nothing.’ In fact, I struggle with that in general. I have always been a doer. Standing still is rough at times. In addition, the reality that life is happening outside my quiet relaxing neck of the woods is also a difficult pill to swallow at times. Please don’t misunderstand me, I am blessed to know that church services continue without me (it’s not about me, Praise God) as God has his people working for Him all the time. However, when you turn on the news and see all the devastation happening around the world one begins to feel helpless.

The floods of India and Houston, though devastating to thousand, had an impact on me, but took up a limited amount of my thoughts. Hurricane Irma however, which destroyed so much in its path, including that of my friend’s homes and businesses, has weighed heavy on my heart. As I continued to see picture after picture on social media that showcased horrendous scenarios, all while I was sat by a pool in the sun, guilt started to kick in. What can I do? I should do something. I can’t just sit back, go swimming and work on my tan, while so many people, many which I know personally, are living through this tragedy… The guilt started to really affect me. So much so, that I found myself lashing out at those around me. I found myself being grumpy and frustrated. I started feeling heavy and despondent. Then I prayed (funny how it’s often one of the last things we do, yet it’s what provides an answer). After praying, I felt God remind me that I can’t carry the burden of the world on my shoulders. I have my own burdens to carry. I was reminded that God is in control. He has every person in His hands. While I may not understand it, He can turn all things for good… He is hearing all His people’s prayers…

Then…

While watching one of the many news reports about Hurrican Irma, I heard a statement that truly angered me (please excuse my paraphrase): ‘And the Bahamas, while affected by Irma got off lightly. They were praying for Irma to stay away, and their prayers were heard and answered.’

WHAT?!?!?!?! The implication of this (major network) news anchor was that all the other places hit by the hurricane weren’t praying. And if they were praying, God decided to either not hear or not answer their prayers… What absolute… RUBBISH. To say that I was upset by the report would be an understatement (especially given the guilt ridden state I was in, maybe I should have prayed more?) It upset me that thousands around the world would have heard that statement and start questioning God. Why did He allow such tragedy to happen? Why didn’t he answer people’s prayers? Who can believe in a God who would cause or allow such a thing?

All of these questions are ones I have heard from people in past and no doubt will hear again. And I want to start with a simple answer: I don’t know. The reality is that I don’t know much in life, and I most definitely don’t know why God does or doesn’t do what he does or doesn’t do (confused yet?). To an extent though, it’s not my job to know those things. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him (some translations say ‘submit’) and he will make straight your paths.’ Scripture also teaches us, not that everything happens for a reason, but that everything that happens God can turn for His good. Nowhere do we read that God creates all tragedies or prevents all tragedies. We must be careful of such thoughts and teachings.

Billy Graham writes on his website his response to being asked about these recent tragedies and gives a timely reminder: ‘God certainly can use natural disasters to speak to us—just as He can use other difficulties and tragedies to turn our hearts toward Him.’

What is refreshing about this response is the biblical reality it brings to the forefront. These tragedies are reminders of how what we have can be gone in a moment. It reminds us of what really matters! I saw a picture on social media that emphasised that Irma, in wiping out power and communications gave families time to spend time face to face, in conversation. That the devastation of communities allowed lounges and spare rooms to be opened up to strangers to be welcomed into homes. There is more to life than the success and the material that we are often seeking. God is a part of that ‘more’ we seek. These tragedies often bring that reminder (as sad as it may be that a tragedy is necessary).

So, I don’t know why God allowed it to happen. I don’t know why only ‘some people’s prayers were seemingly answered.’ I don’t know… But I do know that God is still in control, and He still loves all His children. I know that I can see great things coming from such tragedy. And on a more personal level, I know that my R&R was not only necessary, but something I know God expects of, and wants for, me and all of us (we see this through scripture from Genesis when God Himself rested, through to New Testament, when we are reminded of the importance of true Sabbath). And of course, I know that my faith is not about guilt. This can sometimes be a struggle due to how we think at times. But, ultimately it’s not about me.

Graham ends his post with this: ‘We don’t necessarily know why God allows natural disasters to occur; sometimes Satan seems to have a hand in them. But the time to prepare for life’s crises is now, not when they strike. Is your faith and trust in Christ, and are you seeking to live for Him every day, no matter what happens?’

Living for Him every day is a continual journey. One that I am on. Fancy joining me?