You may be aware of the massive earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday. A friend of mine who is trying to adopt some Haitian children and travels there several times a year sent me a few pictures last night that I thought were worth sharing.
Before
Presidential Palace Before
After
Presidential Palace - After
Wow!. Can you imagine? This is just an example of the damage and despair that has occurred on that troubled island. Likewise some of you may be experiencing earthquakes in your lives. Its not something we can take a picture of, but the devastation, and despair are equal. You may feel like your life is like this palace – destroyed. It may be your job, your relationships, your children, your financial position and many other things that rock our foundation. What do we do?
We could look at James 1
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (NIV)
or
Romans 5
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. (NIV)
Both of these are good things to know. These lifequakes will build up our faith, and create, and in our weakness create a leaning on God. However, I usually take strength in these two passages. from Job
9 His wife said, “Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you? Curse God and be done with it!”
10 He told her, “You’re talking like an empty-headed fool. We take the good days from God—why not also the bad days?”
Not once through all this did Job sin. He said nothing against God. (Job 2:9-10, The Message)
and from Romans 8
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose.(NIV)
18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.(NIV)
The last one, brings the most hope. A message that even when the world falls in around you, we still have a promise of life eternal with our Lord and Savior. So if today, you world is shaking, remember this. If you are blessed with peace, pray for those in Haiti and find way to build up the people right around who maybe in the middle of the devastation of a lifequake.
