I was distressed and disdainful of my own privilege yesterday as I stepped casually into a grocery store after church to pick up food. Not only did I feel incapable of currently providing any sort of tangible, practical help in the face of such overwhelming need, but the juxtaposition of how easily and comfortably I was able to care for myself beyond what I needed and the total devastation on the other side of the world seemed almost obscene.
Thankfully, I serve a God who can intervene in miraculous and practical ways in the face of tragedy. Maybe all I can currently do is to support the Japanese here in whatever way that I can - whether that is prayer or financial support. Somehow, not being in the middle of things, beside people causes me to feel agitated (which could also be indicative of a depreciation of the power of prayer on my part). It's difficult to know, as a Christian, just how to respond to something like this. What do we do? Sometimes human effort seems so inadequate and I am ineffably grateful in this situation for my God who can intervene in unimaginable ways. Where else would we turn? What else to do than toll the bell ropes of heaven and not let go?
At this moment however, my feelings toward the disaster in Japan seem as incomprehensible and mangled as the wreckage itself. For now, Psalm 17:6-8 - "I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." This for Japan.
