Having come back from retreat and watched the reports that are coming to us from Haiti, my heart and mind has been turned from the retreat to this crisis and my prayers go out to the people of Haiti. Pat Robertson has made some comments that seem to have made some people a little nervous regarding the earthquake. Is it "Christian" to talk like that?
This brought back memories of when I sat on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. We were interviewing probationary (now provisional) members and it was the first year for the question: "What is your understanding of evil as it exists in the world?" This question was pressed by some in my interview group and the candidates were struggling as some of the interviewers didn't like the fact that sin seemed to be at the root of evil in the world. Some were accused of sounding like Pat Robertson, who had also made similar "uncomfortable" statements at the time because of a natural disaster in India. I think I was able to help those candidates through the process by helping the interview group recall one of John Wesley's sermons.
John Wesley wrote the sermon "The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes" after a devastating earthquake and it was first published in 1750. His scripture was Psalm 46:8 "Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth." The first two lines of the sermon are: "Of all the judgments which the righteous God inflicts on sinners here, the most dreadful and destructive is an earthquake. This he has lately brought on our part of the earth, and thereby alarmed our fears, and bid us "prepare to meet our God!"
John Wesley divides the sermon in three parts. In the first part he shows that earthquakes are the works of the Lord, and God only brings destruction upon the earth. He states that, "Now, that God is himself the Author, and sin the moral cause, of earthquakes, cannot be denied by any who believe the Scriptures." He concludes this section of the sermon by writing, "Let us then conclude, both from Scripture and reason, that earthquakes are God's strange works of judgment,---the proper effect and punishment of sin."
In the second part of the sermon John Wesley gives examples of earthquakes in his time. He calls his listeners to behold the works of the Lord.
In the third part of the sermon he tells his listeners what to do by giving three directions
1) Fear God, even that God what can in a moment cast both body and soul into hell.
2) Fear God, and depart from evil; repent, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance; break off your sins this moment.
3) Repent and believe the Gospel.
Now it is always easier to see the sins of others than our own. Yes, there is terrible corruption and many of the cultural values that are satanic and destroy the country. Yes, voodoo is present and does not help in building life giving community. Yes, construction is full of graft and corruption and hundreds of millions of dollars have been wasted in the past. Yes, force has been used in that country to take from one's neighbor rather than protect one's neighbor. But I think Wesley's sermon has us look at ourselves.
1) I must repent
A) I must repent that I fear human politics and powerful people more often than I want to admit than fearing God. And that I act on that wrong fear in my life. I do this at risk to my body and soul.
B) I must repent that the last time I really thought about Haiti was in 1993. I was in my first term of seminary and my friends from 10th Mountain Division were in the air to invade Haiti. I prayed and rejoiced that through some coercive diplomacy and invasion was averted. I thought about the nation building that would be required to restore order and develop an infrastructure for life. I had taken several courses in civil affairs (nation building) in the army and was daunted by the task as I studied the problem. I had supported a missionary from the Good Shepherd Charge in Haiti and thought about taking a mission trip to Haiti while at Brookville (we ended up going to Paraguay), but they were only fleeting thoughts.
C) I must repent I have not prayed for those souls in Haiti for a long time.
2) I must seek ways to bring produce fruits meet for repentance
A) I must pray for Haiti
B) I must think about ways that I can help to alleviate suffering and correct the corruption and put that into action.
C) I must once again submit my life and my soul to God.
3) I must repent and believe the gospel.
A) Believe that Jesus will use my gifts for his grace (I am planning to give through UMCOR).
B) Believe that Jesus will allow this crisis to be used to root out corruption and suffering in Haiti and that my gifts (probably just like a couple pieces of bread and fish) will be used to heal a nation.
C) Believe that the same Jesus who has enliven my heart with the Holy Spirit and saved me from being cast into hell desires to save and enliven the hearts of the people of Haiti and that my witness of that gospel will be used by God to save others from hell and even hell on earth.
Until next time....Grace and Peace
