I am none one to try to have an answer for every question, especially questions that we simply cannot have sufficient information about. I don’t want to speak on the basis of speculation or conjecture, but I do want to provide a possible perspective on why phenomenons such as hurricanes happen.
So why does such natural disasters happen? The tsunami’s, the hurricanes, the monsoons, earthquakes, firestorms, etc. – it seems that we are bombarded with the ferocity of mother nature. Some may say, “If there is a God, and given that he is good, then why does he allow such things to happen? Can’t he stop them?” This, to me, is a question of providence.
Could it be that these acts are not a matter of permission but causation? Could it be that God, in his infinite wisdom, has something in mind with these forces of nature that we know nothing of?
Certainly, God is not unaware of what is going on. Certainly, God is capable of stopping them. But why doesn’t he? I admit, I don’t know the answer to all those questions, but they are worth asking.
As a Christian, the perspective I prefer to take is to think of this as a God-given opportunity for his people to represent him and his love by responding in a moment of crisis with grace, generosity, and compassion. This is a call to action – a wakeup call to shake us out of our comfort zone to feel the sense of urgency and importance of reaching out to people who are in need. One week ago, they were in the same situation save the 120 mph winds. They still needed Jesus. Yet today and tomorrow we will go to those, who, yesterday we unfortunately ignored. This must be a good thing, that is, if we heed the call.
So when someone may ask,”Why?”, or maybe you are asking that question, think of the opportunities that are afforded to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to share his love, to reach out when we once had our hands in our pockets, to give when we were once hoarding, to be Christians when we were once spectators. This, I hope, can be a glimpse to the real Answer to the catastrophic results of sin that has swept humanity in its grip with more force than any hurricane force winds.
