| |
"In the Rubble"My wife is an amazing woman. I know all guys say that, but I really mean it. She is a much better person than I ever deserved. I thank God for bringing her into my life and giving her the patience to stick with me. The Lord knows that I did everything I could to drive her away at first, but she was persistent I am the one reaping the blessings for that gift. I truly believe that God made us for each other and as a testament to God’s power and grace; she realized that long before I did. Not to say that I did not love her, I was just a huge butt-head when I was younger and didn’t deserve her. She is kind, loving, and generous. She is also one of the most giving people that I know. She will often go out of her way to help another, whether she knows them or not. She is always showing me ways to be a better person. She is also always showing me ways that God moves in the world. Sometimes I can be busy or feeling self-centered but she inevitably finds a way to show me something that re-enforces my belief in God and the goodness of mankind. One time she showed me a news clip of one of the Moore, OK tornado survivors. Now I tend to avoid most of the news because I felt that the news channels are exploiting many of the victim’s tragedy for their own ratings however this clip was different, and I am so glad she brought it to my attention. I don’t know if you remember this story, but I was thinking about it as I considered the message of where we find our treasure in the world. An on the scene reporter was interviewing a woman who had been in her home when the tornado destroyed everything around her. The woman said that she had a plan but that all went out the window when destruction reigned down. The woman woke up to daylight lying in the middle of a pile of rubble that used to be her home. Her first thought was for the welfare of her beloved pet, who had been in her arms when the tornado struck. After calling out numerous times this woman gave up knowing that her little dog was buried in the rubble somewhere. She gave God thanks for her survival but mourned the loss of a dog that meant the world to her. Now the reporter was trying to lead the woman down the path of questions that I find offensive, such as how do you feel, and do you understand what happened, but she was interrupted by a sound. Seeing slight movement in the pile of rubble that they were standing by the reporter and this kind old lady began to shift pieces of debris. As evidence that God brings peace and joy in the most difficult of times, under the shattered remains of this woman’s house scrambled her dog: dirty, tired, and scared but whole and unharmed. With tears streaming down her face and joy in her voice the woman gave God glory. She said that she had two prayers: one for her safety and the other for her dog. God answered both of them. When you have eyes to see God is present in even the worst of times. While she may have lost all her worldly possessions, she said a prayer to God, and He answered with her life and the life of her loved one. He may have just been a dog, but he was all she had, and she loved him. This was of course only one woman and one moment but there are others. God allows us to become the people we are meant to be through struggles and tragedy. Mankind will rise up in adversity to help and provide for their fellow man. They will go above and beyond the normal call of duty, again and again. Whether the challenges facing us are man made, such as the Boston Marathon bombing or natured based such as the tornados and flooding we currently face, God will be present and alive, working through his creations to help. When times are at there worst God works within humanity to allow His mercy and compassion to be at its best. I am so thankful that my wife shares these moments of kindness and beauty with me. Although I too recognize God in the world around me, I am a firm believer that you can never see God moving in the world enough. God is alive and present. If you ever wonder and doubt you need merely look to the news, look beyond the headlines, beyond the tragedy; look into the heart of the story to find the people. Sometimes you might have to dig a little yourself. But it’s there; God’s creations doing God’s work, helping and loving one another. Humanity looking past themselves, looking beyond the danger and toil, sacrificing for each other not out of recognition or reward but because it is the right thing to do, the compassionate thing, the godly thing. He is a God of mercy, a God of comfort, a God of love. 1John 4:8, ‘He who does not love, does not know God, for God is love.’ Love, Pastor Drew
| |