Two big events recently are the Afghan earthquake and the Israel/Hamas conflict. There is still the Ukraine situation ongoing but out of the spotlight for the moment. Sadly, the devastation in the earthquake has been overshadowed by the Israel/Hamas conflict. The death toll will probably never be known as the area is burying the dead almost as fast as they are found. Prayers for the Afghan people in that area are most appropriate.
Honestly, I’m not sure where to start with a response. Perhaps best to start with the problem, it’s that crazy old word we love to ignore. Sin. The earth groans so Romans says in travail of labour pains, earth shattering. We await redemption of our souls and planet, but till then, we can only grieve with those families that lost loved ones in the earthquake. The reality of sin shows most in a war-torn world that is on display, a way to live which is the inhumanity of man towards man. There is evil in our world. We have no control over physical world, so we lament deeply the evil of man towards man. I think this offends my sensibilities since it is something that the offenders could well have controlled but they chose evil over good.
I find comfort in the words of Paul found in 1 Corinthians 13, the end of chapter 12 said: “I show you a more excellent way.” Paul carries on in chapter 13, with this selection: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass… And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,… but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away… And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Sin comes from pride and unthankfulness that acts in ways that are unloving. We, our world, need more love to be put on display and into practice. The sheer depravity of man manifesting itself in evil acts needs a source of love greater than us, we need a savior. Who is yours? Mine is the Christ of the Bible that came in love.
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