Why did God let Hurricane Hugo hit our town? Why didnt he let the storm
dissipate instead of destroying so much?”
Struggle as we might, our finite minds are simply not capable of answering
adequately these questions. The best we can do is say God gave mankind the mind
to protect ourselves against the storm.
Note: The following editorial by Editor Lynn P. Clayton first was published
in the October 5, 1989 issue of the Louisiana Baptist Message. It is reprinted
in this issue as Editor Clayton continues to recover from successful surgery
on a brain abscess. The editorial seemed particularly fitting as South Louisiana
residents recover from Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili.
Why did God let Hurricane Hugo hit our town? Why didnt he let the storm
dissipate instead of destroying so much?”
Struggle as we might, our finite minds are simply not capable of answering
adequately these questions. The best we can do is say God gave mankind the mind
to protect ourselves against the storm. The “why” of the storm will
have to wait until we no longer “see dimly through a veil.” We may
not like coming against such a brick wall of intellectual limitations, but there
is little else we can do but accept it by faith and know that the answer rests
securely with God.
There is another question that arises in these situations – “Does
God care about those hurt by the storm?”
We can answer this question emphatically with a resounding “Yes.”
And the more strongly we believe that God does care in the midst of such disasters,
the more we can be a part of demonstrating the validity of that answer.
As a Louisiana Baptist, you are demonstrating that answer as you read this.
Louisiana Baptist Convention disaster relief vans serving meals to those without
facilities or means to prepare their own – and to other relief workers
– are made possible by your gifts through the Cooperative Program and by
designated gifts that come into the state convention office for that purpose.
In addition, the International and North American Mission boards receive funds
for their disaster relief work through the same channels. (Organizations such
as the Red Cross sometimes provide or supplement the food that is prepared and
served by the relief units.)
Also, you are a part of a network of believers, some of whom have responded
by actually taking the relief to those in need. Our community of faith has called
out those willing volunteers, and they are part of your network of faith.
Does it matter?
A letter came to the Baptist Building that helps answer that question. A native
of Bossier City now lives in Charleston, S.C. She and her family are members
of the historic First Baptist Church there. Their home was damaged, but, according
to the letter she sent to her parents who sill live in Bossier City, it is still
“livable.” Her family spent the Sunday after the storm helping shovel
the eight to 12 inches of mud from their churchs historic sanctuary that
had lost its roof in the storm.
On the way home that day, they passed a shopping center parking lot and saw
a large truck with a yellow awning. Several hundred people were in line to receive
a hot meal the truck and its crew served. In her letter to her father, the former
Louisiana Baptist wrote: “Now, Daddy, these people are not deadbeats or
drifters or panhandlers. They are people with incomes like you and me, but their
homes have been from 50 percent to 100 percent destroyed. There was not a store,
mall or shopping center open. They had not had a drop of water for three days
– no electricity. Several hundred had their cars trapped in their garages
and crushed. If they could get their cars out, then the streets had so many
trees and parts of houses that you could not drive. On top of that, several
90 to 100 feet long boats and yachts had blown across many main streets. So,
these people desperately needed help.”
The wife and mother said she had not cried a tear in the midst of the storm
or cleanup to that point, but when she saw that “big van with Louisiana
Baptist Disaster Relief” on its side, she was emotionally overjoyed to
see that her home state Baptists cared enough to help.
She wrote that no matter what it cost to Louisiana Baptists, no matter where
the van had ever been, no matter where it will ever be sent, it will never be
more needed and appreciated than it was in Charleston on that Sunday afternoon.
There are times that we need to accept what we cannot answer and concentrate
on being the answers that we do understand. There is great need, and Gods
children are usually the means for Gods answer.
It is true in disasters – and everyday life.