Pressure to post...

So, this is my second attempt at this blog, as somehow I have erased the extremely profound post I spent hours on this morning. If I somehow find where it went to, I will see which version I like better!

My pressure to post comes from two dearly beloved friends...who shall remain nameless (read the comments on the last post to figure it out!) I really do love posting, but as you can tell from my posts I have a problem knowing when to stop. They just seem to get longer and longer! I will try to post more frequently...

So, we made it back from our evacuation due to hurricane Rita. And as I reflect on the events of the past week I have come to some conclusions but even more questions. Let me share some of these with you.

I am glad to be alive. I am thankful my family is alive. I am thankful our lives are resuming to normal, virtually untouched by Rita's wake. I am thankful our city was greatly spared from Rita's destruction.

But in coming to some of these conclusions, as simple as they may be, questions started to plague me. How does God decide where to send the destruction of some as powerful as a hurricane, tsunami, flood, or famine?

I have heard several comments that really have me wondering that follow along this same path. Both of the comments I am going to throw out for thought (and hopefully some meaningful discussion) have been stated by Christians.

The first is this: Christians are focusing on the wrong thing when we pray for protection from these natural disasters. God used these kinds of things all the time in the Old Testament to reveal His power and glory and thus bring His people back to Him. (Examples would be Noah, the plagues, parting the Red Sea, famines, entire cities and people groups being delivered into the hands of God's people, etc) That we should be glad when things like this are happening because God is showing His power and glory to us, and that these things bring people back to Him.

On the surface, it seems to make sense. Right? God flexes His muscles and it draws those who don't know Him closer. But what about those whose lives are ended in these tragedies? How come they don't get the chance to be drawn closer to God? Is it really a time to rejoice?

The second comment I have heard a lot of is this comparison between what happened with Katrina and Sodom and Gommorah. This idea that God wipes a city away because of the saturation of sin within the city or those within the city. Again, something we often see in the Old Testament, and some Christians would say this (Katrina) is the same type of thing.

But what does that say to Christians? Be careful were you chose to live, because if there is too much sin God might send a hurricane, tornado, or some other natural disaster to wipe away your city. How are we supposed to share Christ with those if we are fearful of being anywhere near where they live? Some of you are thinking this is an extreme exaggeration, but follow that line of reasoning to its logical conclusion and I don't think it is that outrageous.

Another problem I have with this idea is that in the Old Testament when these sorts of things happen God almost always makes His purpose known. So, if this was the case with Katrina, what was God's purpose? Not what we guess it was, but what He made clear through divine revelation?

I think the thing that unsettles me the most is how quick we, or I, can put a label on an event and give God the credit or blame. I never really stop to think about what my conclusion says about His character. Does it really line up? Does a God who is merciful and loving demolish an entire city because there is a high percentage of sin? Oh, but you are answering a just God sometimes has to do these things.

But you see, as Christians we make these statements and the world around us wonders how with one breath we espouse God's love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness are for all. Then we say our just and almighty God can and will wipe a city away because of its sin or will demolish hundreds of thousands of peoples lives to reveal His glory. Is this really the God we worship?

So how do we paint an acurate portrait of who God is if we don't grapple through questions like these?

Are there answers to these questions?

Why do we we to answer these questions quickly instead of start these debates and dialogues with each other?

So, here are just a few questions...ponder, reason, comment, question, argue...whatever God lays on your heart. Tell other people to come and ask them to join our dialogue. I don't have answers, I may have a leaning towards a position, but I yearn for the insights of other seekers of Christ....