PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN Life Style
Chaplain’s Corner Lament. Devastation. That’s what northeast Illinois and
critical, that even unbelievers suddenly believe in God when disaster strikes. But the Bible is clear about this: God is not to blame. Well, we respond, then who is? I have to remind myself to look in the mirror. I’m guilty. So are you. So is the entire human race. The Bible’s first book of Genesis explains the truth we don’t like (or re- fuse) to admit. When humanity initially rejected and rebelled against God, severe consequenc- es followed. The human race became broken. And the planet became broken. Natural disas- ters of every variety became part of life. At the same time, the Bible is also clear that God is moved by human suffering. He hates it. Deplores it. Grieves it. Blame leads to com- plaining and complaining leads to all sorts of negative consequences: relationship conflicts, those who could help refuse, more and worse anxiety, discouragement or depression leading to emotional, physical, and mental breakdown. And more suffering. What’s the alternative? Lament. We see many Biblical characters who lament during terrible times. In fact, there’s a whole book entitled
northwest Indiana expe- rienced last month when several tornados brought an apocalyptic night-
mare to thousands and thousands of people, homes, businesses, roads and infrastructure. Here in September people are still attempting to recover. Natural disasters bring up that all too common refrain, “Why?” “Why me, why my family and friends,” why…well, why everything? After the whys come the next phase: blame. If we humans are experts at anything, it’s blame. Blame knows no class, race, intellect, achieve- ments, or nationality. Blame is an equal oppor- tunity employer. We regularly blame the governing authorities or whatever group or organization that either caused the devastation or is somehow sup- posed to ride to our rescue. But there is Some- one who gets the most frequent and vicious blame: God. It’s almost laughable, if not hypo-
Continued
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
5
Made with FlippingBook Annual report