In Japan, rescue workers are still looking for survivors amongst the rubble from the devastating earthquake and the tsunami that followed. In America, and around the world, political commentators and religious pundits are already speculating as to the disasters divine message. Even Tokyo's Governor told reporters that he sees God's wrath in the tragedy. And this is where I go crazy in my head...Let's see...I've read that Japan is being punished for homosexuality, idolatry, and atheism. You mean to tell me that there wasn't one righteous person in all of Japan? I think the earthquake and accompanying tsunami were not caused by God at all. I think the whales in the Pacific Ocean have had enough of all the whale hunting and poaching; so they all got together at the Whales Anonymous meeting and decided to all fart at once causing a tsunami the likes of which the world has never seen, thus causing the devastation on the Japanese mainland. There...that's about as plausible as God punishing the people of Japan for their sinful ways.
Now is not the time to be standing on a soapbox talking about God's judgement. It's a time to join the relief efforts and to pray for those people whose lives have been devastated by the recent events. I'll bet that none of the commentators or pundits were praying for the salvation of the people of Japan prior to the earthquake but they sure are quick to lay the blame.
Here's the deal...I do believe there will be a judgement day. We will all get to stand before the throne of God; but in the meantime, I don't believe every disaster is a punishment of God. Just like the book of Job shows us that God allows the righteous and the unrighteous both to suffer. Sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield.
One final thought...how interesting is it that Japan's oldest Buddhist Temple was spared in the devastation? I guess if God was so pissed off about all the idolatry in Japan and wanted to "get 'em", He would surely have wiped that place out. I guess maybe His aim was a little off or maybe it was just the whales farting or maybe bad things just happen sometimes.
Be Well.
