Although it seems that many mass tragedies have hit close to
home throughout my life, I have never experienced the gravity that comes with
such events being close to home, that is, until now.
Just ten miles away from our home is where the monstrous
tornado took the lives of many and turned homes, and life’s earnings, into
rubble last night. It is a surreal feeling. As if my whole city, nay--my whole
state, is in mourning. Such a mourning that seeps into everyday activities and
brings communities as close as family.
The reality that it could have been my family is not real to
me; I still feel invincible… as, I suppose, many young people do. And as the
messages flood my inbox from loving friends saying things like “I am so glad you are okay” and “keep yourself safe”, I cannot help but feel
that my own life is no more valuable than those that were lost. I wonder if they knew the love and the freedom that
Christ brings. And when I think of that, I wish I could have traded places with
someone who perhaps had yet to encounter the living God, if only they could
live to find Him one day. Alas, I know it no help to stew in sorrow--so I will
live this life I have been given, trusting that God has big plans for me and
striving to live each moment to its full, seeing with God’s eyes and not my own
and loving without regard to my own comfort.
It brings joy to me that they have to turn volunteers away
to help this relief effort. It is amazing that so many people are looking for
ways to help that we have too many people. This makes me proud to be an
Oklahoman.
I believe that God can work through disaster and pain. There
have been so many people who have stepped up in this time of crisis to serve
their fellow human being, this, to me, is truly a picture of Heaven. All of us
joining forces to love one another with a reckless abandon—forfeiting our own
safety or comfort. My question is this: why does a disaster have to happen
before people in a community are motivated to love one another in radical ways?
Why do we not actively bring Heaven to earth in everyday life? I am not writing
these words to condemn, for I am one of these billions of people on this earth
who could due with improving myself to love others in a more active way. I
write these words to challenge us all. Do not wait for disaster to strike
before you start loving your neighbor actively. Do something kind for someone
today… and everyday. Bring Heaven to earth. Bring Him glory in all you do.
Your Kingdom, come quickly.
Your will be done the same.
really great post Abs!
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