Psalm 41
Our earth is groaning right now.
Hurricane Matthew hit hard and now Hurricane Nicole is threatening life and property. The eastern Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland felt the effects as well, with severe flooding and road washouts. Typhoon Chaba attacked South Korea about the same time that Matthew was doing his thing in Haiti. Now there are news reports of another possible typhoon approaching British Columbia.
As we know from news reports, Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas. They faced devastation several years ago after an earthquake rocked their country. Then cholera breakouts. Homelessness. Death. It is heartbreaking.
But it is in times like these that the rest of the world takes notice. And thankfully there is still some good in the world.
These are opportunities for people to show love.
To share hope.
To help those who desperately need it.
Opportunities for others to do good.
To reach down into themselves and find that God-inspired place where love is planted. Where hope grows. Where thoughtfulness flourishes.
After all, humans are created in God's image. His character is in each and every person.
And if anyone knows how to love, give hope, and heal, it is He.
We have opportunities to allow God to use us to bring Him into a hurt and devastated world.
We have this moment to live out love.
If it means you hop on a plane and head down to Haiti to help rebuild homes, or bring medical help ...
If it means you give donations in your community to send to those in need ...
If it means you simply sit at home and pray ...
Live love however God places on your heart.
The first verse of Psalm 41 states, "Oh, the JOYS of those who are kind to the poor ..." (NLT)
So, there is a gift in there for us too, who give love, who help the needy, who show God's heart to the desperate.
Oh, the JOY.
I think this is a deep-seated JOY, one that doesn't necessarily manifest with gladness ~ because the reason the help is needed in the first place is sorrowful, heart-wrenching, and sometimes angering.
But I've learned that JOY can be present even when the darkest clouds hover.
Because there is a Light in this world that can never be extinguished.
Even through hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, sickness, death, pain ...
We can be an arm of God that reaches the poor. That stretches out to offer love, hope, help, and yes, JOY.
Lesson in the journey ... Kindness produces deep-seated JOY.
