Rev Bill

The pictures from Mississippi and Louisiana show the utter destruction Hurricane Katrina caused.  The numbers tell a story of destruction and death, also — over 65 dead — 54 in Mississippi (50 in one county) — 11 from the earlier strike in Florida. The cries for help — the panic — the look of despair on the faces of the victims as they worry about their loved ones or homes — or as they return to where their homes were and find them destroyed — all these things show something of the devastation caused by this storm.

It’s easy to pray for those who are missing family members and who have lost their homes — but what about those who — despite the warnings — decided to "ride it out" — and got in desperate trouble because of it?  Was it their own foolishness who got them into the situation? What should we feel about them?

Rob at Orangejack Blog has a good post about this.

From a strictly human perspective, I know that it may be difficult to feel sorry for, reach out to, or justify trying to rescue those who are warned and ordered to leave  –  and yet refuse to do so.  We may feel: "Heaven help those who helps themselves". 

I feel that as Christians, however, we have to try to move past the human perspective to the perspective God has — and that is to love, be concerned for, and compassionate to all people without judging how they got into the situations they are in.  I’m not saying this is easy — but I feel it is the response God would have us make.

So — what do we do?

We pray for the victims — regardless of why they are victims.

We help the victims.  Not all of us can go to the devastated areas and help — although I truly applaud all the volunteers who are doing this — but all of us can contribute to the American Red Cross or other relief efforts.

I offer a prayer from my faith tradition — the Presbyterian Church — for those affected by this disaster:

God of compassion, You watch our ways, and weave out of terrible happenings wonders of goodness and grace. Surround those who have been shaken by tragedy with a sense of your present love, and hold them in faith. Though they are lost in grief, may they find you and be comforted; through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives and rules this world with You. Amen.

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