Making “sense” of disaster
What is it like to suffer total disaster? Some of us were pondering
this question in our plumber mate’s shed over New Year. We found the
appalling loss of life and the devastation following the tidal wave
impossible to comprehend; and we struggled to welcome in the New Year.
Our conversations were sober, and searching for a glimmer of hope
and reasonable explanation.
“I don’t believe in God anyway, and, if I did, this would finish
it,” said our Scottish mate, Ted. He was always negative, and Gus
told him he wouldn’t have expected anything else of him.
Gus then asked him how much he was giving to the appeal. “This was
nature’s way of keeping the population under control and doesn’t need
me to interfere,” Ted replied.
Gus responded: “Even if God were a figment of people’s imagination,
he is more generous than you.”
Mick, who couldn’t leave his view unspoken, blurted out: “This whole
thing is God’s punishment for human greed. Humans have taken vast
amounts of oil, coal, gas and gold out of the earth, leaving massive
unfilled holes there, and now God has acted to punish mankind for
his uncontrolled plunder.”
None of us felt very happy about that explanation either. “How much
are you giving to the relief, Mick?” Gus inquired. Mick muttered something
about donations being a personal matter and “none of other people’s
business.”
I could only agree that none of history’s wars or natural disasters,
which claimed so many innocent lives, could fit with an idea of a
personal God, who lived, ruled and acted with purpose.
“The only purpose I can think of is that such a disaster compels
the rest of humanity to positively co-operate and work to rescue and
restore meaningful life to the communities experiencing such terrible
losses,” I told the group.
“I cannot see disasters as being the intention of any reasonable
God, but this is simply an act of nature that must be endured by us
who find ourselves living in the world.”
Gus remarked: “I don’t know why everyone wants to find someone to
blame. If there is anything positive at such a time, here is an opportunity
for unaffected nations to contribute and support.
“If there is a God, like we would want him to be, then he would want
us to bring some life and hope to these people. It seems their gods
haven’t helped much either.”
Ted couldn’t help but ask: “Well, how much are you giving? You’ll
do their plumbing for free, I suppose, or charge us double so you
can give half to them.”
The question didn’t ruffle Gus. “I think the Good Book tells us:
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’. Floss and I have a few
bills at this time of the year, but these people don’t even have homes,
families or food.
“We’re going to do our bit and support a few families, or even to
build a house or two wouldn’t hurt.
“I’d be pretty disappointed if you blokes didn’t give the matter
some serious thought. To give people something to hope for would be
a good New Year’s gift.
“It might change the way these people think about us, too. We might
all get along better.”
With others calling past during the afternoon, Gus held several
hundred dollars for the appeal.
I trust the New Year gives you new hope, too.
