Connections

Devotional: Life in God


19 January 2010

Dr Bruce Manners
Senior minister
Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church

Tags: Haiti; Hope; Bruce Manners

Life doesn't come neatly packaged. Haiti is the most recent example of how unravelled and traumatic life can become.

Life in Haiti was difficult enough without an earthquake. Without the loss of life and injuries. Without the destruction. Without the additional hardship of having to find basic needs for survival.

Life is precious. You only had to see the joyous reunion of two-year-old Redjeson with his mother to recognise that. He'd been buried in Haitian rubble for three days. The tragedy of nine-year-old Haryssa's death was also a demonstration. She'd been trapped in a basement and could call out but died before rescuers reached her.

Life is unfair. Why does one child live and not another?

Life raises questions that don't have satisfactory answers. "Where is God in tragedy?" is a reasonable question. Only faith finds a reasonable answer. And it's up to God's people to demonstrate what God is like in how they respond--how we respond.

Life is a God-given gift that's bigger than now. This is true, but it's a stock answer for Christians that doesn't impress non-Christians. It sounds like a cop-out. They see it as Christians saying all will be well when they receive their golden harps and crowns, so let's hang on until then. Somehow we need to get across how hope in the then-and-there has a positive impact on the here-and-now, whatever the circumstances.

Life in Australia is mostly stable. That allows us to plan and follow through and to reap the rewards of effort. This means that most of us are comfortable. Comfortable enough to respond to needs like this generously.

Life doesn't come neatly packaged. That's why we need a stable point, a constant to turn to, particularly when life unravels. David the psalmist turns to God as his rock, his fortress and his saviour (Psalm 18:2).

Life in God may not bring safety, but it brings security--and hope.

An international emergency response team from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is now in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, coordinating the provision of immediate water supplies and medical aid to more than 30,000 earthquake-affected people.
 
The worldwide ADRA network urgently needs donations to meet the needs of those affected, requiring USD1 million in the long term to help communities rebuild. ADRA Australia has opened a Haiti Earthquake Appeal and is calling for support for the response efforts in the region. Donations can be made to ADRA Australia by calling 1800 242 372 or visiting www.adra.org.au. Donations to ADRA Australia's Haiti Earthquake Appeal will be used to support the disaster response, recovery and reconstruction efforts in the area. If the appeal raises more funds than are needed, donations will be allocated to ADRA Australia's ongoing emergency management activities.
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