This afternoon, I received a phone call from a dear church member about the tragic flooding in Texas. We discussed the question that weighs heavy on many hearts: how could something like this happen in a Christian state, at a Christian camp, with precious children as victims? I must admit, I have wrestled with this myself over the last couple of days, spending the afternoon in prayer and tears, seeking comfort in God's word.
As you may have heard, devastating flash floods struck
central Texas on July 4th. At least 69 people have lost their lives, including
many children, and 11 children from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp,
remain missing. Rescue teams continue their urgent search as families wait in
unimaginable anguish.
You too may ask why God would allow this to happen. This question has echoed through the centuries from the faithful throughout Scripture. Job asked it. The psalmists cried it out. Even Jesus Himself, in His darkest moment on the cross, cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). It is a question many of us are asking again today.
The truth is, I do not have all the answers. None of us do.
But here is what I can say with confidence, drawn from the heart of our faith:
God does not will suffering. This tragedy is not
God's punishment or test. We live in a broken world where natural disasters,
sickness, and heartache happen, often without warning or clear reason. This is
not how God intended the world to be, and one day God will redeem all that is broken.
God is present, even in the heartbreak. We worship a
God who suffers with us and grieves with us. Just as Jesus wept at the tomb of
His friend Lazarus, I am sure Jesus is weeping now for the parents, loved ones,
and communities shattered by this loss. God's heart breaks alongside theirs.
Even in the middle of heartbreak, God does not leave us. God enters into the
pain, sits with us in it, and carries us through it.
Our hope remains. Tragedy does not get the last word.
As the Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8, "Nothing, not death, not life,
not anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God in
Christ Jesus." We hold fast to that promise, even when the world feels
dark.
Our faith is strong enough to hold our doubts, our anger,
and our confusion. God doesn't fear our honest questions but invites them.
God Enters Our Pain
The cross reminds us that God's response to human suffering
was not an explanation but participation. God entered our broken world,
experienced our pain, and conquered death itself. This doesn't answer all our
questions, but it assures us that suffering does not have the final word.
Even in this darkness, we see glimpses of God's kingdom
breaking through. Hundreds of rescue workers are risking their lives to find
survivors. Families are opening their homes to strangers. Communities are
rallying to support one another. First responders have saved over 850 people so
far. In these acts of courage, compassion, and sacrifice, we see the image of
God shining through humanity.
How We Respond
As people of faith, we are called to respond with both
prayer and action:
- Pray
for the missing children, for grieving families, for rescue workers, and
for comfort that only God can provide
- Give
practical support through reputable disaster relief organizations serving
the affected areas
- Love
those in our own community who may be struggling with questions about
faith and suffering
- Hope
in God's promise that one day He will wipe away every tear, and death will
be no more
Until That Day
We wait for the day when the prophet's words will be
fulfilled: "He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe
away tears from all faces" (Isaiah 25:8). Until that day comes, we weep
with those who weep, we hope against hope, and we love as we have been loved.
The families in Texas need our prayers now more than ever.
Let us lift them up, trusting that even when we cannot see or understand, our
faithful God holds every tear, knows every name, and will one day make all
things new.
If you would like to contribute to flood relief efforts, I
recommend Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), which is already mobilizing
resources to help Texas flood victims. You can give online at https://pcusa.org/disaster-assistance/active-responses/national-disaster/texas-hill-country-flooding.
If you need pastoral care or someone to talk with during
this difficult time, please don't hesitate to reach out.
In faith, hope, and love,
Pastor Paul
Comments