WHAT MAKES NEWS

I want to stay away from politics on this blog. I don't want things that distract from the essential messages in the bible. I want to stay away from the hot points in the news that come and go. God's message is timeless, and that is where I want to be.
That being said, I am however compelled to write about Hurricane Katrina. You can't escape coverage on the nightly news, both local and world. This is bigger than a story that comes and goes in a week. This will be with us for a long time.
The book of Jeremiah in the bible accounts the reasons that Israel is going through horrible times. God tells the people outright that He is punishing them for a number of things including worshipping false gods.
That is not where I want to go with this tonight. I am not God, and I am not a prophet like Jeremiah was. I have been given no message from the Lord indicating that the hurricane was an indictment from Him for sins of the people. I also won't believe it if I see anyone else proclaim that message.
So then, why did this happen? Or, more accurately, why did God allow this to happen? Well, I'm not a theologian, but I'll tell you what I believe.
God created a perfect world. No sin, not even any rain. Then that whole thing happened with the apple in the garden. That changed everything. Now, sin reigns on the earth. Is God in ultimate control of everything? Of course He is. But humans started out on earth as immortal. Now, unless you make a choice, you have no chance of eternal life.
So, to sum up the last paragraph, events happen. Funny though, what makes news.

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all you mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12.30-31

When I watch the news coverage about the hurricane, I pray. A lot. For the people who have lost everything, for the missing families, for the rescue people. I pray that the looting and the police efforts don't get too violent. But the other part of the news coverage really makes me notice something.
The things that really make the great stories with the high ratings are the stories of the ordinary heroes. Of the men and women who put their own lives and safety on the line to help another. Of the people who unconsciously act in the face of danger. There are whole segments dedicated to these people. Of course it is a wonderful thing that these people do, I could never deny that. But take another look at those words above that are in red. That is Jesus' answer when asked what commandment is the greatest. Which means that in His eyes, those stories should be commonplace, right? In Jesus' eyes, our neighbors are everyone around us.

WHAT'S THE POINT?

My point is simply this: the last few days I have had a hard time living life as usual. I look around at my house, husband and children, and I feel like I have too much. This isn't the first time this has happened to me either. The famine in Niger causes me much sorrow. Our family is doing one of those World Vision adoption of a child there. If my husband wouldn't stop me, I would drive down to the coastal area and start helping somewhere. But I can find something to do. When something is wrong in my life, my first response should be prayer. I go to the great I AM, my Father, for help. I cry to Him about my situation, and cry and plead to Him for assistance. So, if I am to treat my neighbor as myself, then I pray for the hurricane victims. Then, I should make sure there are some sort of resources of my hand that goes to them. If I have money, that's what I give. If I don't, then I give of my time, or my service.
Those stories on the news are news because they make people feel good, and I think, they let some people off the hook. They are designed to make you feel good, and thus be reassured that there are people in a crisis to solve problems.
Jesus, however, expects more. Think about it...