March 16, 2011 with 7 Comments

292.

The Impact of Global Disasters

Another day another disaster.

I can hardly keep them straight anymore.

First there was 9/11. Then came New Orleans. Of course don’t forget Haiti. And just as I thought I was beginning to cope, the Japanese Tsunami/earthquake/disaster strikes back ruining any semblance of normal I may have deceived myself into believing existed.

If you think I’m forgetting the continual background noise of the Middle East geopolitical scenery, don’t be fooled. I am well aware of the overturn of the government in Egypt and the ongoing crisis in Libya and the looming threat of Iran and on and on and on.

Do I sound cynical? Believe me, it’s a lot easier to be cynical than to actually care. I’ve spent my share of hours staring at the Television with tears streaming down my face as I consider the dismal panoramic view of the world as we know it while I wonder what the dollar I texted to the red cross will do in the growing mountain of world disasters. To say that I have a complete sense of my smallness and my inability to stop the chaos from happening is to undermine my true incompetence.

Yet global disasters affect us so much. Why?  Why do we sit hour after hour transfixed by the magnitude of world suffering trying to come up with an answer to “why”? Why them? Why not me? Why now? Why, God?

The world is becoming smaller and smaller. The information streaming faster and faster creating a sense of a tsunami about to engulf us with its weight, threatening to destroy the very foundation we build our dreams on.

But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. I’d like to present 5 good reasons for caring about global disasters.

1. They remind us that life is short. In a moment, in the blink of an eye everything you’ve ever spent any time and effort on could be gone. We’ve seen it happen so many times I don’t need to describe it to you. Life is short. Make the most of today and make sure you’re ready for eternity.

2. They sharpen our perspective. What is the most important thing in your life? Your career? Your retirement fund? Your hobbies? Your car? What would your wife say is the most important thing to you? What about your kids? Watching the disaster in Japan is a reminder that the relationships you have are the most important part of your life. Invest in them. Love the people around you. You may lose them when you least expect to.

3. They propel us to do more. Have you found yourself daydreaming about what you could do to stop world hunger? Do you worry about the problem of sex trafficking in teenage girls? Do you want your life to count for more? Don’t let the tears on your face dry without reaching just a little bit deeper to that creative part of your mind and heart that may be stirred into action by the pain that you see. Just yesterday I got an email about a mom who has started an organization in her basement to help women in 20 underdeveloped countries get out of poverty. Yes, even you can make a difference. Pray for the right opportunity and the right idea. God has a plan to use you in a global scale as you allow Him to!

4. They get us on our knees. You can give, it is desperately needed. You can go, it helps in more ways than you can imagine. But nothing makes as big a difference as purposeful consistent passionate prayer for the people in the midst of a disaster. Pray for their immediate needs. Pray for their eyes to be open to the love of God in their time of need. Pray for the hope of Christ to reach out to them. Pray for peace. Whatever you do, pray!

5. They bring us a little closer to the kingdom of the King of Peace. The world as we know it will not continue as it is forever. Sin will be defeated. Christ will reign forever. And it’s coming sooner than you think. Are you ready for His return? Every disaster we read about and every day that passes brings us just a little bit closer to the end of this story.

It’s ok to cry about global disasters. It’s ok to feel the pain and hurt of the ravaged victims.

But don’t stop there. Turn your passion into more.

Help bring healing where it’s desperately needed.

What can you do to help?

I’d love to hear your comments.

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  • Sue

    So true Lina. Thank you for the reminder that prayer is a way to give and to help in a currency that won’t be corrupted by the hands of evil men and corrupted systems. And that it is time for body of Christ to engage rather than recoil in fear.

  • Jennine G

    Thanks for this post, Lina.

    Heb 10:24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,”

  • Darlene

    This event in Japan has been on my mind a lot. I can’t help but think of Biblical prophecy that predicts natural disasters and increased war as a preclusion to the second coming. I pray every day for Christ’s immediate return, yet at the same time I am sure there are still more souls willing to come to Him. As the Bible says the Lord “is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” So while I selfishly pray for the Lord to return because this world is increasingly scarey and uncertain, I also pray for His timing and the salvation of many more before that time. A day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. I pray for these people who are freezing, homeless, surrounded by snow. I can only imagine what they are going through, and I’m sure that my imagination is lacking. I do know that God is with us, and them; and that He will provide a comfort and shelter in this time of need.

    • ramzi

      most Japan not christian or born again, only shinto..buddhists..

  • Lina

    Great to see you back Ramzi! I’ve missed your comments. You are right, there are only about 0.5% Jesus following believers in Japan which makes it even a sadder tragedy. Much prayer is desperately needed.

    • ramzi

      yes..but they are very polite. Have you noticed? They compose themselves with great dignity even in this time.

      Also nice to hear from you, good timely blog.

  • Milo

    Good blog Lina. We are all sadenned for those suffering without hope. I can pray that they will open their hearts to God’s mercy and grace, receiving forgiveness of sin. All the suffering of this world is worth it if we have an eternal hope. Keep writing