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Dear friends,
No one could have been left unmoved with the human tragedy that has been brought to our attention through our newspapers and television screens lately - the devastation of the people of Burma following the cyclone hitting its delta area and the desperation of the people of China as the earthquake brought such loss for the people of Sichuan. It is difficult to take in just how awful it must be for children to come out of such a terrible time to find their parents have gone, or for parents to go to the school where they left their children, only to carry their lifeless bodies home in their arms.
It is at times like this that people ask ‘Where is your God? Why does He allow things like this to happen?’ The problem of suffering has troubled the minds and hearts of all who believe in a caring and loving God and there is no simple or easy answer.
What we can see is the compassion and care of God at work through the many people who have responded in times of tragedy. The soldiers who are exhausted as they search for people under the rubble of schools and homes, the people who provided shelter and food for the orphans, and homeless and the aid workers who risked being caught as they go into sensitive areas in Burma to bring aid to people in need.
We can also see the compassion and care of God expressed through the many who supported Christian Aid recently, by donating goods for the nearly new sale or sponsoring those who took part in the jog walk and by filling smartie tubes. Such actions speak louder than words, telling others they are not forgotten in very practical ways. Where is God? He is in the hearts of those who do something for others in His name. Just as he was in the heart of the Good Samaritan. When Jesus had finished telling the crowd the parable, he asked which of the three in the story was a good neighbour. When they answered, Jesus told them to go and be like him. When we allow God in us, to work through us and move us with care and compassion, people are helped and God is there.
Your Minister and friend,
John P Renton
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