The Earthquake in Haiti and God’s Intent

The recent earthquake in Haiti has revealed that most of the people who lost everything had nearly nothing before the quake even occurred. For one to go from having no house to losing what little sanctuary he or she claimed amidst the filthy street corners and disease-infested water is barely something I barely know how to empathize with.

The term “take for granted” comes up often when events like this occur and, quite frankly, I dare say that most of us don’t know how good we have it, even in the current economy. I am humbled in knowing that I am one of the few richest people on earth, even at a wage that I consider to be quite humble.

Even so, I don’t own a home worth boasting about, but I certainly have warmth and food and a hope for what tomorrow brings… you get the idea. But I am thankful, and I am wise enough to know that all the material things I possess stand on shaky ground. In an instant, I could lose everything… my home, my health, my family…God forbid.

But I give God glory, because He has a sovereign plan. He allows bad things to happen for a greater purpose. I wouldn’t be so bold as to suggest what God’s intentions are for allowing the earthquake in Haiti, but I do know that His thoughts are above our thoughts and His ways above our ways. (Isaiah 55:5)  Maybe He’s working on getting our attention, perhaps, to reveal who we are as a people and as individuals.

I’ve heard it said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort & convenience, but where his heart stands when no one’s watching.” I don’t know where this is from, but anything that sings truth is worth contemplating.

In the context of Haiti, could I spare a dollar or two to help a portion of humanity? Would I miss a meal to feed another, particularly someone on another part of the globe that I’ve never met, seen, nor heard? Would I sacrifice my own comfort for a day to give someone else a mere moment of relief?  Or would I instead wait and give out of my abundance…you know… make sure I have enough to take care of myself before having any concern for another? And either way, would I need an acknowledgement from the world to make it feel worth my while? Or would I do it in secret, not needing to take credit for my deed?

Matthew 6:1-3 says that we should not do our deeds before men, lest we lose our reward in Heaven.  Not that we should concern ourselves with a reward, but what if we are sincere in our selfless efforts?  On the other hand, if we give out of our abundance so that we do not suffer, have we, in are heart’s deepest intention, really given anything at all?

Bottom line is, whether we give or don’t give, I believe our inner-most self-worth is revealed through our motive and our willingness to get uncomfortable for the sake of someone else. If we don’t give out of the mere intention of helping another soul, then what is it that we’re expecting to gain?  Kudos?  Satisfaction in knowing that we did a good deed in the sight of men? And if we give of our abundance and cling to our immediate indulgences, what kind of price tag are we putting on ourselves?

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” – Matthew 16:26

Like I said, I wouldn’t dare suggest that I know what God intends with the recent devastation in Haiti, but hasn’t it already moved mankind to selfless action?

What are your thoughts?

Prosperity via God in 2010

Today I read a very good blog about why we don’t keep our New Year’s Resolutions.  It came with various suggestions to finally move forward this year.  One commenter stated his opinion that if we don’t make certain achievements, we should “man up” and have the courage to admit to ourselves that we can’t.  So, essentially, suck it up and live accordingly.

This really struck a chord with me.

Perhaps if he had suggested that we need to explore our different talents and passions, then I would have respected his post a little more.  However, in the context of his comment, his suggestion was that we are not all capable of receiving the same level of success.

What a pitiful stumbling block to throw in anyone’s path.

I believe what the Bible says, and the Bible makes it very clear that those who love God are equally in God’s desire to be prospered.

Luke 11:13 (King James Version)
“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

Consider the verses that talk about faith and how anything in Christ is possible.

Matthew 17:20 (King James Version)
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

And the following verse is really great for those who have felt defeated in their work:

Isaiah 43:18-19 (King James Version)
“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

If it had not been for my faith in God, there is so much that I have today that I would not have.  And I don’t just mean tangible things… yes, there are those.  But I’m also talking about the changes that took place in me as a person. There were trials that made me stronger and smarter.  Those trials I may never have faced if I didn’t stand on God’s promises.  But because I did stand on His promises, I came through the trials with victory and now have the strength to overcome greater trials that gave me greater character. Through all this, I received wonderful tangible gifts that I otherwise could not handle having.

So we might not necessarily see huge accomplishments happen overnight.  But if move forward with faith through our challenges, we’re sure to prosper later on.

Galatians 6:9
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Keep God in the center of your life and your business in 2010, and watch that you might not have enough room to receive all His blessings.

If you’d like to join with me as an accountability partner, I’d love to hear from you.