November 4, 2012:

It’s the Will of God . . . Or Is It?

                 Disasters have a way of bringing out the best and the worst in people.  The response to Sandy by elected officials, first-responders, and many ordinary people has been exemplary.  Most Americans are compassionate.  We care about our American neighbors whether they live in New York or Tennessee.  Working together through vital governmental agencies such as FEMA and private relief groups we will help those devastated by this terrible storm.

                But some American responses are not admirable.  Even before this storm hit, there were letters to the editor in the Times Free Press stating that natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy are a punishment from God for Roe V. Wade, the banning of prayer and Bible reading in public schools, and the growing support for the homosexual “lifestyle.”  (Strange that we never hear criticism of the heterosexual “lifestyle” and the hurt and harm some “straight” people have caused!)  As we might expect, President Obama has been vilified for his support for Gay marriage.

                Some Christian people believe these natural disasters are the will of God; in other words, they are caused by God in order to punish human beings for their sins.  To believe such nonsense is to insult God by suggesting that God is a capricious monster.

                The Gospel of Luke tells us that when Jesus was told that some Galileans had been slaughtered by Pilate while they were at worship, Jesus reminded them of a recent tragedy where eighteen people were killed when a tower collapsed on them.  “Were those people who suffered worse sinners than those who were spared?”  The expected answer, “Of course, not.”

                This world is governed by natural laws which God does not alter to please some and punish others.  The will of God is God’s intention for your life and mine.  Like a wise and loving parent, God has hopes and dreams for each one of us.  Seeking and doing God’s will is always for our best.  And, most wonderful of all, when we fail to seek and do God’s will and some man-made disaster comes into our life, God, our loving parent, is always ready to forgive us and help us find the right path again.

Love,

Dave