For something so devastating to happen on a day that is a big deal to so many people, I think there are lessons to be learned. I don't think that it's a sign that elections are bad and anarchy should be adopted, but I think that events like this cause us to reexamine just what an election is about. It's not about one party or person versus another. It's about the ubiquitous desire for the best person for the job. Exactly who that is or what characteristics he or she should have is up for grabs, but no matter what camp you're in, you want the best for our country. There's a common goal there.
I remember when the tornado hit our house in '97. There were generally two kinds of people who came to our neighborhood: those there to help and those there to gawk. Yes, gawk. There is no better word. I remember how many people came to help us and our neighbors clean up, and how many different places they were from. There were Baptists and Methodists working together (*gasp!*), there were students from Dad's classes, and there were people we didn't even know (and that's saying a lot in a town like Dyersburg!). The people at Shoney's knew us by name because we ate there almost every night for a couple of weeks, and they often wouldn't charge us for our meals because they knew our situation. I remember seeing that kind of support and love and compassion and unity in our community after something that was so very tragic and devastating.
Seeing the aftermath of yesterday's storms, I am reminded so intensely of those few weeks after our house was demolished. It was a time of grief, mourning, and rebuilding, both materially and emotionally. But it was also a time that I saw the kind of community and love and compassion that Jesus preached and lived. It's the kind of unity that the church would want and needs desperately. So when I see this devastation and the grief many people are experiencing right now, I'm also seeing the amazing love that they are going to be shown in the coming weeks, because I know these communities and I know these people. People who may never have known love like this before are going to know it now. And I hope that the churches there are able to show Jesus' love in a way that some of those folks have never seen. And once you experience His love, it's just a step away from experiencing his grace and saving message.
Yesterday was also Mardis Gras, a day of extravagance, feasting, and decadence. Again, I'm not condemning the celebration by any means, but I think some of what it can represent is part of another lesson in these events. The beginning of the Lenten season is always one of contemplation for me and for many. "To give up or to take on? Or both? Give up chocolate or cokes? Meat? No, that's too hard." There's an inward focus to a lot of what goes into Lent, but what exactly is the purpose of giving something up? Self-discipline is certainly an important part of it, but another aspect is that of being deprived of a privilege. Even something as simple as cokes or coffee or chocolate is a privilege that many don't enjoy. The devastation of losing one's home and all of one's belongings is such a more humbling experience than any Lenten discipline I can imagine. I hope that we can identify this Lent with those who have been forced into their own discipline in the mid-south.
These are the things I've been thinking about. Any thoughts?
No comments:
Post a Comment