Where was God?

When tragedies happen there are usually several responses.  There is rejoicing for those who survived.  There is sorrow remembering those who did not.  Some praise our God for His merciful hand.  Others curse at Him for letting this happen.  If anyone asks me "Where was your God?” I will tell them this.

He was in the hospital, holding the inner walls together.  He was in Grandma Avis’ house, holding the hallway walls over her in such a way as to keep her safe.  He was in the rooms of those who only had one room left.  He was in the bathtubs of those who took refuge there.  He was covering those who were terrified and crying out to Him.  And He was waiting there for those whose time had come, welcoming them with open arms if they chose to accept Him.  God knew this tornado was going to take parts of Joplin.  He knew that some would walk away and others would not.  He did not abandon Joplin, He poured His love all over it.  So many more could have been killed, but God spared so many people.  True, some perished, and our hearts and souls grieve for them.  But God knew each and every one of them.  He called them each by name.  He has provided for those who were called by His name.  And for those He spared, He has given another chance to do His will.  Why did Grandma Avis survive at the age of 91 when a 19 month old baby did not?  I don’t know and never will this side of heaven.  But God was not finished with her yet.  He is not finished with any of us yet. While we are still walking this earth, we must love God, love one another, and do His will.

He is still sovereign. He is, He was, and He always will be.  He is sitting on His throne.  That is where God is.

The Spirit of Joplin

(written 6/10/2011)
I'm sitting on my hotel bed, bags packed, heart swollen with sadness.  I am leaving Joplin this morning after spending most of the last 10 days watching the people of this city pick up pieces of their lives and put them back together.  I have seen what the worst of nature has left behind.  But I have seen the best of what nature could not destroy.

As we sat in a little closet of a room at the MSSU campus, with more in that little room than some people have in total after the storms, we watched as people broke down with tears of joy when we handed out their EBT cards loaded with $200 or more in food assistance.  They cried, they thanked us, and they walked away to continue putting their lives back together.  I didn't do anything spectacular.  It wasn't my money to give away.  Some people weren't eligible for assistance, but rather than scream or yell or throw a fit, they just said, "that is okay, I have more than other people, I will be okay." 

These last 10 days have been amazing.  I have heard their stories, I have shed tears while they cried, I have handed out assistance.  But most importantly, I have witnessed the spirit which will carry this city to greater heights.  Their buildings may be destroyed, their lives may be disrupted, their hearts may be broken from those they lost, but no tornado can completely devastate or destroy the city of Joplin.  Yesterday, as we were preparing for the last day of taking applications for assistance, someone brought us an entire sheet cake which said "Thank You, You're awesome, You're great, etc.".  Individuals who had been devastated by the storms offered to get us Sonic drinks, etc. 

No, Joplin friends, do not thank me.  THANK YOU for opening your lives to me, for allowing me to glimpse what makes this city so special.  Thank you for allowing me to spend these days with you.  I am walking away today, going back home.  But you will remain in my heart.  You have taught me so much in the last few days.  You have taught what it is to be devastated, yet rise from the ashes.  The spirit of Joplin.

Isaiah 61:4
 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
   and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
   that have been devastated for generations.

Display of His splendor

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

I sit here in Joplin and my heart breaks for these families.  The stories are horrific, the brokenness is overwhelming.  But in Isaiah comes the promise that those who mourn, those in despair, and those who are brokenhearted will be restored.  They will be crowned in beauty, they will have joy, and they will praise God.  We don't see it now, but through all this devastation, God's glory will shine through.  He reigned in the past, He reigns in the present, He will reign forevermore.  When there is no more tears, no more pain, no more loss.  He will heal and He will restore.  And throughout everything, His splendor will be displayed.  He is on His throne.