Japan

If you're like me, you've been watching (and reading) the news closely and following the stories about the disaster in Japan. I live in a place where I have no idea what our brothers and sisters are going through and so it's completely out of my frame of reference. Actually, it's out of most of our frames of reference.

At a Presbytery meeting yesterday, we took an offering that gets donated to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program, which raises money to fund relief projects in places around the world that need it. The woman announcing the offering and its purpose reminded us that the money we donated to this program last year -- and the money we donate each year to the One Great Hour of Sharing fundraiser -- is the fund that the PDA is tapping into now to help Japan. It's a tangible way to see that the money we give doesn't just disappear into a vacuum. It's actually being used.

I must admit, I don't know a whole lot about the PDA, but I do know that the work they do is absolutely necessary, as is the money we provide through One Great Hour of Sharing. When this fundraiser, which comes up every year during the season of Lent, was announced on Sunday during worship, the man announcing it reminded the people that giving was down last year from the year before, and that's been the steady trend. I'm not sure if we'll see a reversal of that this year with Japan covering the news, but I do know that people all over the world are wondering what's going to happen next. Will Japan face a nuclear melt down? From the depths of our souls, we hope not, but the fear is there.

I haven't heard anybody asking where God is in the midst of this. Some may think the question isn't there because with all the crap going on, people are tired of asking. Others may say that we don't ask the question anymore because news like this doesn't shock us anymore; this kind of news is just a part of our new norm. The best thing I heard was from a fellow pastor who said she doesn't hear too many people asking where God is because we know where God is; God is weeping over His children of all walks of life, regardless of their beliefs. God hears the cries of human suffering and God weeps with those who must endure suffering. God, my friend said, doesn't take a back seat when suffering happens; God steps into the driver's seat to steer while we cover our faces and cry out, "God, o God, why have you forsaken me?"

What I do hear is people asking what they can do. The PDA website has what they call a "GAP" program that we can access when we're asking how we can help. We can Give, Act, and Pray. Above all, pray. Give or Act as you are able, but keep our brothers and sisters in prayer. Keep loved ones in prayer. Keep friends in prayer. Keep a nameless, faceless human being in prayer and in your prayer, remind them that in the midst of mourning, God is there. In times of crisis and disaster, God is there. Wherever people are, God is there, whether we notice Him or not. It's my hope that we notice Him.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan and with the loved ones and friends of people in Japan who are living in other places, that they might find comfort and peace in this time of trial. I pray for God's continued presence and mercies to run deep so that we realize that the well-spring of grace will never run dry.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Becki