How can God allow this to happen? Why do bad things happen to good people. (Enter any other cliche question here)
Disasters happen every day. Someone somewhere experiences sudden loss or devastation. The result is usually us questioning how a loving and compassionate God could allow such tragedy to occur. However, the flaw is not with God. Because He is flawless. The flaw is with us. The flaw is that we assume our perspective is accurate, while in reality our view of the universe is quite minuscule. We assume that we are owed a full life, that we are entitled to health, wealth, and comfort…to see our kids grow up and to have kids of their own. And in a perfect world, that would be true. However, we live in a broken, fallen world that has been ravaged by the effects of sin on every level.
We forget that every thing we own, every person we love, they are all a gift and blessing from our Heavenly Father. He holds every person and every thing in His hands. He gives and He takes away. He allows us to take part in these blessings. But instead of praising the Giver of these gifts, we strive to hold on to them tighter. We are so fearful of losing them. So when any of our loved ones or earthly comforts are stripped away, the damage is much deeper than originally intended. In our pain, we question and blame God, as if he were to blame for our dependency.
These blessings were never meant to be what we live for. If we were honest, we would have to admit that we are guilty of this misplaced dependency. We would have to admit that we do not actually find complete peace in comfort in these things or people, even if we put on the facade that they do.
So when a record breaking tornado rips through a portion of our world and strips everything away from thousands of people, it strikes a chord with our deepest fears. We begin to say prayers and make banners and wear t-shirts and make donations. We cry for those who have lost and are lost. Volunteers band together and do everything humanly possible to rescue, clean, organize, and whatever else it takes. They leave behind their own families and jobs. People across the country read horrific stories of a town they would have otherwise never known existed. Corporations and athletes donate large sums of money for the cause. We see the best side of humanity as we bond together for a common goal. The tragedy brings a community together. And in a brief moment, I believe even all of humanity can come together. People look out for other people. They offer their best to other people. It becomes beautiful. In the midst of the despair and brokenness, beauty arises as we catch a small glimmer of what real community and fellowship look like. We love. We love for real.
Then the passion dissipates. We return to the crude world we fancy as normal. The devastation becomes out of sight and out of mind as the news and papers start reporting on things that matter less. Our daily routine kicks back in, and we buy our groceries for ourselves. Our donations go towards those charities or organizations that we have always given to, or perhaps we don’t give at all. We still live on the same block with those people that we never took an opportunity to get to know. We attend our church and “do all the right things” to have our Christian stamp of completion for the week. We forget about the loss and the hurt.
So what if being comfortable is actually worse than being displaced from our homes? What if those struck directly by a tragedy are blessed more than those who weren’t? Because in the quiet night of loss, you are forced to face the real questions and deal with the deepest errors of your life. You realize the value that you have misplaced. You have the unique opportunity to let God take you by the hand and lead you into a life that is full of love.
I cannot say that I can fully sympathize with anyone who has experienced such tragic loss, even if I try. However, I do believe it calls for an awakening for everyone. The God of the universe holds the entire world in his hands, and for some reason He has allowed a deadly, tragic disaster to occur. The impact is different for every person. But regardless of it’s immediate effects, every person can and should reflect on their own life.
At the end of the day, am I reaching out to the world around me, or staying locked up in my cozy life of family and first world comforts? Yes, those things are incredible blessings. But now, I feel that I am forced to reevaluate priorities. I am forced to think about what holds true value. Because God’s design was not for me to be focused on my comfort. Selfishness is not a mark of a true follower of Christ. And clinging to comfort is a perfect example of selfishness.
God is trying so desperately to get our attention. To get my attention. To ask us to open our lives up to His plan and His blessings.
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:20 NIV)
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