I returned from a tough visit to the dentist and wasn’t feeling too good, when my wife said, “What we are worrying about is nothing compared to what they (people in Houston) are going through.” I think she was referring to the unexpected expense for my dental work. I was glad to see her counting our blessings, instead of what she saw as a problem. I recently retired and our income dropped dramatically. We are doing fine. Not as “fine” as before, but better than most storm victims. Maybe this was a chance for us to be thankful?
Our conversation continued about the people who had lost their homes and possessions. It is hard to imagine losing so much. Why did it happen? Was it a result of sin or moral failure? Surely many “good” people were victims too. Why were other places spared? It seems like there are just as many “sinners” in San Antonio, which was virtually unscathed. I think the answers are deeper than what we can see with our eyes.
The bright spot in this ordeal has been neighbors helping one another and strangers who stepped in when they saw a need. The firemen, policemen and military should also be praised for going above and beyond. In a country that is so divided, this tragedy brought people together. Churches and Christian organizations showed GOD’s love to people they might never see any other way. If social media was any indication, millions of prayers were said for Houston and South Texas. So many donations came in that people were asked to stop sending material goods for a while. Compassion brought out the best in people. Yes, there were exceptions, but that made the “good people” look even better. Maybe, GOD used for good what Satan meant for evil?
The world is too quick to blame disasters on GOD. JESUS said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 KJV). That doesn’t stop GOD from working in the middle of these “bad” situations. When Peter tried to stop Him from going to the cross, JESUS “said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (Mat 16:23 KJV). Peter meant well, but JESUS was thinking deeper than preserving His own life. Satan wants to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy” as much as possible, leaving people in despair and hopelessness, but GOD has a deeper plan.
We can know and be part of GOD’s plans. “God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Cor 2:10 KJV). The first deep plan is “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). If everlasting life is the first plan, just think how great the rest will be! Don’t wait, because another storm is coming!
Wayne Lance (2017)