We're In This Together

Our world has changed. I’m not just talking about computers, cell phones, or all those electronic devices. I’m not even talking about how society has changed and how our churches need to “get with the times.” This past week our world changed. One singular event in world history impacts us all. We have yet to comprehend the enormity of what has happened to this small island nation off the east coast of China. Beyond the changes thrust on people and their way of life, we all have more to consider. Image after image, unrelenting in what we see on our tv and monitor screens show us things we have never viewed before. There is more. They are telling us that Japan’s coastline has moved an average of eight feet and the earth has rotated possibly ten inches on its axis. That is change.
And still, that is not the change I am referring to. I am concerned about people. Average individuals. Everyday people like you and me. People that get up every morning and go to work or school. People who have had the heart of their lives ripped apart. People, individuals, families, generations of people have died, lost love ones, even disappeared. Yes, the devastation is phenomenal but the impact on peoples lives changes’ everything.
I could care less about things. Almost anything and everything can be replaced. Those things don’t matter. Who really cares about a car or someone’s personal possessions? Watching the water envelop everything in its path does not move me like reading the statistics of those people dead, unaccounted for, and missing. Or seeing the image of a singular women, wrapped in a comforter in the midst of disaster. That moves my heart.
One verse of scripture came to my mind as I listened intently to the broadcast. “In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” God is not talking about losing our life here in this world. He is talking about eternity.
As Christ followers our hearts need to go out to this nation, these people. It needs to be moved to pray for each and everyone. For those lost in the tragedy and those who are left standing and looking around in disbelief. We need to pray for those lost, those who have lost someone, to a nation brought to its knees by tragedy and loss of life.
Early Monday morning I was again watching things unfold in Japan when I read at the bottom of the screen, that some relief workers from Brantford are already on the ground in Japan doing what they can to help. We may not be called to go over and help physically but I believe we should all do what we can, and if all we can do is pray, then that is the least we can do.
Something to think about.
Let’s pray
Rob