Get Ready - Another Tragedy Expected

Reputable hurricane forecasters predict that the 2020 Atlantic basin hurricane season will produce “above normal activity”. We could expect sixteen named tropical storms, eight of these will become hurricanes. The season begins in less than a month.

Just like wind, rain and even earthquakes, hurricanes are necessary acts of nature. If nature is not allowed to do its thing, various ecological imbalances would occur. So, just as we protect ourselves from rainfall, we must protect ourselves from other acts of nature. Thankfully, science has advanced to the point where we can get early warning about when to expect some acts of nature.

At times, science is unable to accurately predict natural disasters. For instance, some years ago, two scientists in Italy resigned their posts with the government's disaster preparedness agency after a court in L'Aquila sentenced six scientists and a government official to six years in prison. The court ruled that the scientists failed to accurately communicate the risk of the 2009 quake, which killed more than 300 people.

Because we cannot influence the course of nature, the best we can do is to prepare ourselves adequately to cope with nature. Hence, scientists are expected to make reasonable predictions, from which we can protect ourselves. However, if we build our houses near the mouth of a volcano, we should not complain when it erupts. The same thing is true when we drain wetlands or redirect the course of rivers in order to build our palatial homes.

When God placed human beings on earth He commanded us to take care of the earth – to dress it and keep it (Genesis 2:15). In this way we can be at peace with our environment. However, because of greed, we compromise the need for protection, often ignoring God’s warning and suffer the consequences.

Because of advances in science we are not only able to predict the course of nature, we are able to cooperate with the course of nature. In order to avoid flooding, we implement adequate drainage and erect lakes to compensate for intruding into natural habitat. On the other hand we see the consequences of reckless deforestation. This is what results in uncontrolled flooding and soil erosion.

Rather than accept personal responsibility for the reckless choices we make, some blame God when we are impacted by natural disasters. However, it is not logical to expect God to interfere with things that would violate the purposes of His creation. It is also illogical to expect God to thwart the consequences of our actions.

According to Jesus, wise people prepare for impending disaster. Wise people build on rock, not sand. Wise people know the potential for rain and wind to destroy human habitation. In addition, Jesus contends that wise people know that winds and rain are inevitable – it is nature rejuvenating itself.

However, for a variety of reasons, some persons are unable to prepare themselves sufficiently for the onslaught of nature. Such persons become victims of nature’s fury. Such disasters provide opportunities for care. History is replete with stories that illustrate caring responses to victims of tragedy.

In his book, An Act of God?, my friend Dr. Erwin Lutzer reminds us that “historically, the church has always responded to tragedies with sacrifice and courage.” During the third century, Tertullian recorded that when pagans deserted their nearest relatives in the plague, it was Christians who stayed and ministered to the sick.

Ministering to victims of tragedy is a central part of the Christian message. In preparing his disciples for his return, Jesus talked about being hungry and destitute, and not being cared for by others. But who would dare abandon Jesus? This was his poignant reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me” (Matthew 25:45). The “least of these” include victims of tragedy.

Agreed, the upcoming hurricane season means the coming of potential tragedy. Let us begin to get ready. Let us prepare for disaster. However, when the best preparation proves to be inadequate, let us be prepared to care for the victims of disaster. It is in ministering to “the least of these” we minister to the Lord.”