Ask The Question

Sitting in the comfort of my home, planning my day around lunch with a friend, a visit to the gym, time blocked out for reading a good book, I flinch when I see pictures of suffering, human beings sitting on piles of rubble that used to be their lives. One day, not long ago, they planned their days, too. Now there is nothing left. And not just the tragic loss of property and deeply personal belongings, but the “death toll.” Isn’t that a feelingless phrase? On that growing list, those numbers are human beings who used to play with their grandchildren and sit in church pews and wave “good morning” to neighbors.

The question is not “why.” There is no satisfying answer to that question. No, the question is “what.” In the face of human suffering, enormous suffering that seems relentless, what can I do? Little or much, it doesn’t matter. But something. I can’ walk away from that question. I can’t walk away from that question and still claim my commitment to Christ. Forget causes and reasons. Those can be debated later. First in our hearts and our minds is Reaction. What will I do?

God, give me the courage to ask the question, and to ask, and ask, and ask until some answer comes. What can I contribute to the healing of such massive pain? What of myself can I offer?

Ask from the heart and you will know.