Compassion

As I sit and watch the images of the devastation in Japan scroll through news feeds I can't seem to bring to mind the reality of such a horrific circumstance. To simply think that countless brothers, mothers, sisters, cousins, and children have become mere numbers lost in a climbing estimate of death tolls is alarming. For many in Japan, life--the busyness, chaos, hurrying here and there-- has stopped. I too, for a moment, have paused. However, I remain conflicted by the reality that in the morning I will awake and continue with my day as normal--a truth that seems unfair when placed against the hardships rising before those survivors who managed to withstand the most terrifying event of their lives.

I soon begin to wonder what our response as believers should be. Already, many have been quick to label this disaster as 'God's punishment', while others have checked if off of their 'End-times Events' outline asserting that things will only get worse. While I think that those responses may be a bit misguided, I am certain that Christ compels us to act more compassionately.

Even within the chaos of this tragic event I am reminded of the love and service of Jesus to those in need. I am reminded of His compassion. His co-suffering with a fallen and needy humanity.

And even now, God is calling us to embody that very characteristic of Christ in an attempt to suffer alongside of those who have been so deeply affected by the tsunami and earthquake. We have been given the opportunity to reach out to our helpless brothers and sisters in Japan whose lives have forever been changed. We are faced with the opportunity to bring the kingdom of God to earth as we act compassionately in service and love to restore the lives of these countless children of God.

We are invited to be apart of God's redeeming work in which despite the circumstance, He is glorified. For we know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him.

May we be reminded that God is present and endures alongside of those who suffer and may our prayers be for peace and comfort to those whose tomorrow may seem less certain than our own.