Hope in the Midst of Tragedy

Some Christians have attempted to provide relevant answers to the problem of suffering. My purpose for writing is not to provide an answer at least not what you may have expected. First, I am not as competent in addressing the matter of theodicy as those theologians who’ve spent years tackling the problem of evil. And second, I’ve come to realize over time that there isn’t a satisfying answer to the problem of suffering. There is no magic formula, no “wonder drug” to cure our burning questions. I do not believe, however, that what has ensued over the past week in the Caribbean was an act of God’s wrath or a sign of Jesus’ Second Coming. We should avoid jumping to such conclusions.

Perhaps, we are partly to blame for the state of our world. As a collective species, we all bear some responsibility for environmental “malpractice”. The earth was entrusted to our care and we have foolishly abused the planet’s resources for our own greedy ends. I admit that not all natural disasters are the result of human greed. This could simply be the natural process of “Mother Nature”. Whatever the reason I propose that Christians are to be a people of hope.

As a Christian, I live with the hope that God’s new world will be made manifest in due time, but until then let us commit ourselves to embodying the presence of God to our distraught neighbours. The Church is the visible Body of Jesus Christ in the world.

I implore you, those who’ve become increasingly focused on “end time prophecy” do not be misled. Focus on the present. When tragedy strikes, what people need most is not theology but compassion and action. Let us concentrate our efforts towards alleviating the suffering of those affected by Hurricane Irma. This is our appropriate response during this difficult time.

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