Haiti,. . . and "why can't we get this right" as the church.

Terrible,Unspeakable tragedy in Haiti yesterday. I'll have some links at the bottom of this post if you'd like to help. I think, as Christians, this is a layup, . . . we can do practical things to help these folks and we should.
---------------------------

Pat Robertson spoke out, saying that Haiti was "cursed" by a "pact with the devil". This was in the context of a comment about Haiti needing to turn to Christ and that we should help with the suffering and relief.

This infuriated many, (me too) including Donald Miller who had a response. Don Miller's response was basically to show love to the Haitian folk, and to talk about how Pat R. is a "controlling personality".

I think both responses miss the point a bit,. . . in times like these, I feel like the Word of God has some direction for us in Luke 13.

Luke 13:2-5 (New International Version)

²Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? ³I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. ⁴Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? ⁵I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

When natural disasters happen, we should pray and repent for our sins. Natural disasters are warnings TO ALL OF US, each time they happen. I went around this on the blog a bit during the John Piper controversy following the Tornado in downtown Minneapolis.

So, Pat R. is wrong to draw a straight line from Haiti's voodoo past to this calamity, and Don M. is wrong to dismiss out of hand that God is warning them (and us) to repent and that God could have a purpose in suffering.

To be sure, timing is important here,. . . and perhaps someone like Don M. has deeper thoughts that he is wise to save until later when needed help arrives, things settle down, and we can think clearer about everything. But, others I know are quick to dismiss any theological takeaways from an event like this. It's almost like you're not ever supposed to draw any conclusions in this way.

Jesus wasn't afraid to do that, as we see in Luke 13.

Let's all let this horrible thing have it's intended purpose in our lives. . .to sober us, so we'll repent. Let's pray that the Haitians are sobered and will repent as well, for their sins. And, let's help in that process by showing them the love of Christ and helping them in an unspeakable tragedy.

Here's a site where there are 11 reputable organizations for you to donate money to. Please prayerfully consider this. . . . .