Each day we are seeing pictures of the flooding caused by the storm, Harvey. Federal, State and local authorities working together to save as many as they can. Organizations of one kind or another trying to get supplies and offering help to those who are hurting. Finally neighbors coming out to help neighbors. Those who are being help do not have tags like Democrat, Republican, Independent. The color of skin does not matter nor where they have lived. It is all the people from all over our country who have come to help and others sending money and supplies.
People have lost almost everything they have owned, many with just the clothes on their backs. Interviews with those now in shelters reveal the shock they are experiencing but also a consistent message emerges. Yes, they have lost so much but are so thankful that they and others have not lost their lives. It is a clearing of all our thinking about what is most important in life. Jesus said that our souls are the most important things in life (Matt. 16:26). The needs of the soul transcends wealth, color of skin or political interest.
The storm continues to cause problems in other cities of Texas and other states as well. The need now is for all who can to respond and help in every way possible. First the important thing is to save lives and then later to help people rebuild their lives. Reports are even coming in of looting being done. The criminals and thugs always come out to cause damage and stealing. They do no work for a living but siege every opportunity to take from others. Riots in our streets whatever the assumed cause brings out the criminals and thugs who come to take advantage.
Our prayers and whatever we can do or send goes out for all those hit by the storms. Our Lord taught us to treat others as we would want to be treated (Matt. 7:12). If we had lost everything, we would not care who came to help us. So it is with those who have followed Jesus the Christ. We possess no sword in our hands but use our hands to help those who are fallen (Heb. 12:12). The Christian because he serves the Lord Christ goes the second mile and does all he can to help both Christian and non-Christian alike (James 2:15-16; Gal. 6:10). It is not about wearing a wrist band with the letters WWJD (what would Jesus do), but it is about living a daily life in which there is genuine concern for man’s physical and spiritual needs.
I remember one night in Cottondale, Alabama that based on the track of the storms that some 4 tornadoes hit the area that night. The next morning with some wind and light rain, people from all over the community were helping each other with power saws, picking up fallen limbs and other trash. To anyone who has lived through such we give thanks that man was made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). The criminals and thugs represent all that is an effect of the departure from that image.