-- ABOUT THIS MESSAGE
In Today's Seed for Feb. 10, I included a prompt to pray for those
suffering in Haiti. A subscriber responded, and I want to share her
thoughts with you because others may be feeling this way too. What
she said was candid, and I admire her willingness to share her feelings.
-- SALLY FROM FLORIDA WROTE,
I was praying for Haiti, and I do feel so sorry for the children.
Yet, on the AP news, Haiti's voodoo high priest said they don't want
"us" coming over there, meddling in their lives, trying to save
their souls, or change their bodies. They want our aid.
In other words, "We just want your money, not your help".
Something is wrong with that. I think God has forsaken them.
There comes a time, in the Word, that Jesus said when you are not
accepted, you should brush the dust off your feet and just move on.
She followed with,
I wondered if there were any other Christians struggling with that
momentary issue of "dusting their feet" from them. The story is on
Yahoo News.
-- MY RESPONSE TO SALLY
Sally, I'm sure a lot of people may feel as you do. I agree that
this is a terrible thing to hear, and a very selfish position of
this voodoo "priest" to take. I also know that hearing such a thing
causes our emotions to rise, and we want to respond in those
emotions we are feeling.
But, understanding that he is a spiritual opponent, and as such,
would like for us not to do what God has instructed us to do and be,
how should we respond? Several things come to mind:
1. Does this "priest" speak for everyone? I doubt that all the
people there feel as he does. In any situation, there are good
people caught in bad circumstances, and I am sure that is the
situation in Haiti. Of course, he would like for us to not
respond and for God not to be recognized in the situation.
2. Paul wrote, "On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed
him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink..." (Rom 12:20 NIV)
3. Giving of aid and comfort in times of need is one of the ways
we show God's love to those who do not know Him. Who knows what
opportunity He will bring about through it?
Jesus said, "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away
from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that
it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I
tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute
you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes
his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the
righteous and the unrighteous." (Mat 5:42-45 NIV)
4. When an enemy says, "Don't do that", do we obey him or our
Father? Obviously, something bothers him or he sees what we
would do as a threat. When a voodoo "priest" tells Believers not
to do something, that would be a strong indication that we likely
should do what he says not to do.
5. Whether God has forsaken anyone or not is not our call to make.
Until He gives an indisputable word that we are not to reach out
to a people in need, we have His Word that instructs to do just
that - help them as we can.
Never regret doing good when you have an opportunity to do so. If
it is done in error, God is able to "fix" it. I hope this helps
with a different perspective on the situation.
-- IN CONCLUSION
I found several versions of the story on different sites. Research
it if you wish, but don't get caught up in the emotion of it. Focus
instead on what God has already told us to do.
The bottom line is that people are hurting and in need, not only in
Haiti, but all around us. You, as one person, cannot help them
all. But we can as the collective Body of Christ at His direction.
So, pray first. Then, do what you feel you should. If it is to pray,
then pray with all your heart. If it is to give, then give
cheerfully. If it is to help hands-on, do it. If you feel strongly
about helping homeless people in your city, do it. If you can help
others in some other way, do it.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it
all for the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31 NIV)
That says it all. If we live by that standard, we will not err far.
In His service,
Randall Vaughn
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