HURRICANE!!!

I am sure that most of you have heard about the destruction of hurricane Sandy on the east coast.  It swept through on October 29th.  I know it was a few weeks ago, but I am tyring to catch up with the weeks, and I don't want to miss anything.  If you have not heard about Sandy, know that there was major damage on the east coast.  Almost entire electric grids were destroyed and millions of people without power.  There was also major damage in Cuba and the surrounding islands.  Please continue to pray for everyone effected by the storm.  Many have died and many others are homeless. 

As I look back on this post I realize how dark it may seem.  I know many people ask "How can GOD do this?  Why would He allow people to die and evil in the world?" I have heard this from many people over the years.  Honestly, I am not sure if there is an easy answer.  The real question is why does GOD allow suffering?  One answer I have heard to explain these natural disasters is that man was meant to take care of the earth and the earth was rebelling.  I don't know if that is true, but what I always say is that it has to do with the nature of suffering and GOD giving us an opportunity to become closer to him.  Now, I am not saying that when a person does something horrible to another, then GOD must have willed it.  That is crazy!  We have free will, but in the situations where we do not decide to choose the suffering, such as natural disasters or illness (Though, some might say that we even choose these sufferings, but I am not sure.), I think that GOD might be inviting us to grow closer to him.  Now, before you decide I am crazy and stop reading, think about this.  When you are truly suffering, what do you do?  Maybe you pull out the ice cream?  Maybe..., but I bet you share your suffering with someone.  In fact, I bet that someone is a close friend you trust, and I know after you share your suffering you feel a lot closer to that person (or dog...).  It is part of the nature of suffering.  Suffering can be an opportunity to bring people together.  If it was not for Christ, then I would say that a god that allowed suffering would be evil.  I would not worship that god!  But the truth is that GOD became man, so that He could suffer with us.  He shares our suffering and invites us into a closer relationship with Him.  Now, let me say something first.  If He needed our love, then again I would say that this god was evil, and he was making us suffer to satisfy his need, but the truth is that GOD does not need our love.  We need His love.  We are made for Him, and no matter how painful a situation is just remember that it can be an opportunity to unite yourself with Jesus Christ. 

I think you also might be happy to here that even the so called "cold" people of the northeast can unite in suffering.  I have heard from another missionary in New Jersey that the storm had actually brought people together, and people were beginning to open up.  It shows that suffering can be wonderful. 



P.S.  Another post will be coming soon to share my personal adventures through hurricane Sandy.