Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, who of us has not asked the question, “Where was God?” The sudden deaths of so many innocent people and the staggering human suffering that persists seem to mock the very notion of a loving God. Where is God in Haiti?
There was another time that God was mocked in the face of suffering and evil. It happened on Calvary as Jesus Christ, God’s own son, was spat upon, beaten, and hanged on a cross. And people asked, where was God then? If he was God, why didn’t he save himself?
God had another way. On that cross, Jesus faced all the evil that ever was or ever would be. He took upon himself the sins of mankind, the evils of injustice, the pain of suffering and loss, the brokenness of the world. He felt every pain and took every punishment for every person who would ever live.
Where is God in Haiti? Christ is not distant from us in our times of suffering. He lies crushed under the weight of concrete walls. He lies wounded in the street with his legs broken. He walks homeless and hungry through the camps. He weeps uncontrollably over the child he has lost.
Where is God in Haiti? He hangs bloody on the cross: “A man of sorrows, and familiar with our suffering” (Isaiah 53:3).
“But where is hope?” we might ask. Here, alas, we need to see something not easily seen from human perspective. We, not God, are trapped in time. We, not God, see only in part and cannot yet see the whole. We, not God, must wait for that day when “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
What then must we do? Unlike God, we live in the time between the already and not yet, and we must wait until then. Until then, we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. Until then, we are called to comfort the afflicted; give food to the hungry and water to the thirsty. Until then, we are to shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, and grieve with the grieving. Until then, we are to care for the widow, the orphan, the alien, and the stranger.
We are to let our light so shine before others that they might see our good deeds and give glory to our Father in heaven. Until then, as the apostle Paul wrote, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors … as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Until then, we must show forth God’s deep love for Haiti.
Where was God in Haiti? I can tell you God was and is all over that earthquake. I have a church in PAP, Haiti and prior to the quake we were overcrowded somewhat. Now, there are so many people I have just recommended to the pastor to do 3 or 4 services each Sunday, American style to allow more people to attend. Voo Doo masters are coming to Jesus in reocrd numbers. I stood in PAP 8 days after the quake and after spending the day walking thru PAP and seeing arms and legs flailing out of collapsed buildings, hearing the trapped worship the Lord wholeheartedly from within their soon to be tomb. Later, that same day I stood admist 300 badly injurred people in the hospital and my Haitian Pastor and I had a worship service in the middle of the hospital. Actually, we planned to sing a song or two but it turned into the most amazing service ever. People that were too ill to sit or satnd up raised their arms and voices from their cots. People who only had 1 hand moved to find another with only 1 had so that they could clap and praise God together. I seen more God admist the rubble and ruin then I have ever in the states. You can check out my web site for more of the story and to see actual pics of this worship service. I have 18 acres of land that I planned to never use or to donate. Now, God has given me an enormous plan for it. We will be getting orphaned kids on monday to start this new plan God has given me. And, eventually we will build a place to care for 300-400 more. So, pray that we get funding and help and believe with us for the fulfillment of His plan. For more info or to see pics go to Hosannaministries.typepad.com
Well put! Thank you for such insight. We are looking forward to starting the “Hole In Our Gospel” Quest next week.
Where is God in Haiti? He is right there. He never promises we will be free of bad stuff. He promises that He will be there with us, on His own in the form of the Holy Spirit, and in the form of the rest of us. Matthew reported Christ as saying, as you do to these the least of mine, you do to Me. We are all someone’s least. Therefore, as we minister and are ministered to, He is through and through all of us. If every one of us does a little something, there will be enough–give what you can, do what you can do, pray in between. I don’t see myself changing the world, but I know I can affect the people around me, in little ways or not so little, and that spreads. And voila, the world changes. All we have to do is, do. Thank you for this opportunity.
This is awesome. This is exactly what we are supposed to do until Jesus returns. We are to live the Kingdom of God by serving those in need, instead of complaining and blaming God for the suffering. This disaster is another opportunity God is giving us to live the way He commanded us to live: serving others. God bless you. Thank you.
Wonderful post! Thanks so much for sharing. And thanks to World Vision for being “Christ’s ambassadors” in Haiti. We support World Vision both with our finances and our prayers……