Disaster Plan.
The word combination seems almost oxymoronic.
Can we possibly prepare for tragedy?
Hurricane Katrina flew with Kamikaze-like stealth in plane view of the weather radar. She was just another hurricane on a TV screen. Do the drill and things will be fine. Not exactly.
When she exploded on land, three states and a nation were devastated. She did not stop affecting weather until reaching Pennsylvania. Even today a week later, her mist remains in our eyes and a fog of confusion remains. How do we respond?
The answer to "Disaster Plan" comes with how we move. Right now I am thankful that responders are not asking "“why" but "what can we do."” That is the prayerful action we need. Ask God, “what can I do” and He will answer. Get up from TV screens and computer monitors and look for the stranger in your midst. The media and political blame games are for someone else. We respond not with finger-pointing, fear nor uncertainty. Instead, we listen in Faith, we announce there is Hope and we show it by our Love. Somebody very famous said 2,000 years ago "“they will know you by your love."
I am so proud of the people of our church. You first responded on your knees together in prayer. Then, you visibly collected supplies and money on Saturday. Next, you provided comfort for the evacuees. More than 200 reside just 5 miles down our road at Camp Copas. Another 30+ are staying at a local hotel only a few miles from our church. Prayer, food, clothing, money and support have come flowing from your heart. Thank you.
There is much left to do. Where ever you read this, I am positive there are strangers in need not 20 feet from you now. They need not be Hurricane evacuees. They could be hurting from many kinds of physical and spiritual disasters.
Disaster Plan. Today my answer is that a "Disaster Plan"” is something you have been (un)prepared for your entire life. Your life leads you to moments of decision. Out of the character of Jesus Christ within you we act. Know that while victory has already been announced, the world needs to see God working through his people.
Listen in Faith. Announce the Hope. Show our Love.
2 comments:
Hey Brady,
I have a confession to make. I preached this past Sunday. I was going to preach on the lectionary texts - specifically focusing on Mt. 18. But after two weeks of study I was getting nothing. So on Saturday morning I was in the office checking out blogs and came across yours. I was really moved by your post on disaster planning. And so I took your idea of listening in faith, announcing the hope and showing our love and ran with it. It was an emotional day at church with the 9.11 commemoration going on simultaneously and it being the first time I was back and up in front of the church after Ira's birth. I said that 1 Cor 13 is Paul's Disaster Plan for the Corithian church and in turn, us.
I'm sorry I didn't run this by you on Saturday when I began flushing out your post. I hope you will forgive me.
peace -- Joe
Joe –
Thanks for honoring me via your confession. I’m glad you found inspiration. I am certain your words did a great job of communicating hope.
As they say in the confessional “I absolve you”. As satisfaction (penance), I asked you to allow me to post your message on my blog.
Sunday was a pivotal day and an important time for poignant words of faith. I scrapped my plan to start a series “Un-shushing Sex” and went to Matthew 25:31-46. We had a responsive reading asking where is God? To address our questions about where God is in tragedy and disaster, I told the story of the sheep and the goats - a divine joke. Neither seems to know why they are sheep or why they are goats. The bottom line is that the sheep served God who was in their midst – Jesus is the hungry, thirsty, naked stranger. God is identified with the oppressed. Where is God? He is not the one to blame, God is the evacuee. Sunday was special.
I am so glad you wrote. Again, it is an honor to unknowingly team with you and the Spirit. Thanks for making it known.
Thanks,
Brady
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