Romans 12:13-16 (NLT)
13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Whew! The south and mid-eastern United States have been through a lot since last Thursday. Hurricane Helene, a powerful storm, made landfall in Florida and swept across Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. It weakened when it made landfall but still produced a path of destruction. I read the death count was about 100+ people, and the devastation from flooding is great. Millions of people are without electrical service; some are temporarily cut off from receiving assistance.
As I was watching and reading news reports, I pondered what I was looking at, and I received this revelation:
"Sometimes the Lord will allow things to happen so we will be reminded of how much we need each other."
I have heard testimony of people who weren't friendly in their own neighborhood offering help to each other after the storm passed.
As some of us are digging out of the devastation and some are thankful there wasn't any devastation, let's be ready to help those in need. Let's be eager to be hospitable and look for ways to comfort those whose lives are in turmoil. We should learn to step out of our comfort and joy and join those discomforted and stressed because of tragedies that have struck them.
I promise you. In this country of hatred, division, and despair, if we show the love of Christ, the unity He desires, and the hope He gives, we will make a difference in the lives of people who don't know Jesus, and they might want to know more about Him because of the Holy Spirit within us. Please heed the call for unity after the storm.
Prayer:
Father, help us realize you didn't create us to be islands but a community of people striving for each other instead of against each other. Help us be willing to share what you've blessed us with others who are in despair and going through tragedies. We might not have hundreds of dollars to give to a charity that we don't know anything about, but we can share with people within our community. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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