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Fear vs. Faith
Having lived through a 7.2 earthquake (Humboldt County, 1982), I am not
surprised by the unseen power released in those events. The
earthquake in Haiti has broken the hearts of all those who have
witnessed the devastation of arguably the poorest nation on
earth. The pleas of “Help us” remind us of other tragedies, such
as Hurricane Katrina just four years ago. Yet, amidst the
tragedies, and they are too many to number, there are glimpses of love
that also bring tears of gratitude. Our own United Methodist
Committee on Relief (UMCOR) lost two of its top leadership in the
collapse of Hotel Montanna. I heard of parents and school
personnel who indicated that many others were in that collapsed hotel
as well, students and missionaries who had already been in Haiti
seeking to help make life there be less difficult and more
hope-full. Yet, that is just the point, God’s people are on the
scene and have always been, right there in the midst of tragedy,
inspired to keep looking, and lifting broken lives. The presence
of these faithful ones, and countless helpers on the scene of the
collapse of Port-au-Prince inspire us all, albeit through our tears.
Yet these are those glimpses of truth that give us all hope; to still
believe in a better future, to pray with optimism, and contribute
generously even when we thought we couldn’t afford one more request for
help. In everything, Paul reminds us, “God works for good with
those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.” (Romans
8) Faith undergirds our vision, and is often only strengthened
when we identify with how fortunate we are, and how much others need
us. Faith is God’s unseen power to unite and heal. We
refuse to be overcome, we will share our brother’s and sister’s
burdens, we will make a difference not
because we can afford to, but because we cannot afford not to do
so. We cannot undo the tragedy that is Haiti's earthquake, but we
can believe and work toward a better tomorrow. I am heartened by
the television networks who carried the fund raising campaigns for
Haiti live, i.e., canceling all other normal programming. I am
truly amazed that such a thing was even possible. When we work
together, when we push the envelope of the negatives, “it can’t be
done,” or, “We’ve never done it that way before,” great things can
happen. Walls of discouragement and impossibility are broken
down, and in their place, a vision of hope rises from the rubble of
broken buildings and broken lives.
As Lent begins (Feb. 17th) we turn our eyes on Jesus’ earthly journey
during the tragic last days of his life. If his life means
anything, his sacrifice for us means everything. In Him is our
hope and our challenge, our focus and our vision. With God all
things are possible, it all depends on where we focus our faith.
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