GLORIOUS FREEDOM
What happened, and continues to happen in the aftermath of Katrina is
devastating. Many lives have been lost and the total is nowhere near
being known yet. At least one city is destroyed. Thousands of lives
will never be the same. We mourn with them, pray for them, do what is
in our power to help them.
Observing people has been my fascination all my life, what makes us
tick, how we think. So, I find it immensely interesting to see the
reactions of the people. There are those who seem more concerned with
their material possessions than anything else, as though that alone
defines who they are and what they have accomplished. I watch the
looters and wonder what they are thinking. Is it just the rush of those
who have had nothing suddenly being free to lay hands on whatever they
want? For some, of course, they are looting to get necessities, but who
is going to get pleasure from all these electronic toys when there is
no power, when there is no clean water, no food or sanitation? I
remember the rush of the first time I didn't have to go to the grocery
store with a prepared list, and well aware of the cost of everything I
could buy. It is a rush to have what you always dreamed of having. But
that rush will fade in the face of life's realities.
But today, a refreshing breeze; they showed an impromptu interview with
a nurse who survived the watery holocaust and accompanied a group of
other survivors to a new destination from whatever facility they had
been stranded in. I truly admire and embrace her comment, and relate as
one who has lost all and started over more than once:
I don't have a care in the world. I lost my home, all my belongings,
and my job. I'm completely free, and I haven't decided yet what to do.
They interviewed another, an elderly woman who had made it to Houston.
She said that she was okay and for that she thanked the
Lord, whom she trusted every day.
What outstandingly clear perspective, what courage and hope, what
resilience and maturity. I applaud all those like these women who
when faced with the frailty of their humanity see through the smoke of
devastation to the clearing skies above because they also remember God.
So often when these disasters happen, leaders will get on television
and talk about the resiliency of the human spirit, or of the American
spirit. But those who know their strength comes from God have a
remarkable advantage. We do not need to rely on the human spirit alone,
or the American spirit, or the American government alone. We know Him
whom we believe, and we are persuaded. THIS is the glorious liberty of
the children of God.
In life or in death, in prosperity or destruction, this is the victory
that overcomes the world; we know whom we believe and we know we can
trust Him to the end.
Comments (8)
Well said. Your prose is as well thought out as your poetry.
The whole thing is of humongous proportions. I don't think I can begin to imagine what this disaster is like.
Tim
It is a terrible tragedy.
RYC: I was light on substance today. Someone mentioned that my post were getting a little serious so I lightened it up today.
I appreciated this Breath.
That is an amazing and prescient quote. I love it. I know there's always a choice to find the positive in any situation, but I'm always amazed when I see people doing it.