I read today about a small town in Texas that is inundated with flooding from Harvey. Thousands of people in town have lost their homes. The town is isolated, making it quite difficult for emergency responders to get to. But these townspeople have not let that deter them. They are helping each other in extraordinary ways.
One of the highest points of elevation in the town is where the Lighthouse Church is. The church has thrown open its doors to the community. Many people have arrived at the church with nothing and they have been received with open arms. Twenty people spent the night in the church while the café in town sent over pancakes with bacon for breakfast. Private citizens with boats have been arriving daily to search the devastation for people that may be stranded by the water.
In Houston, the owner of a chain of furniture stores, threw open his doors to displaced citizens. He told the dispossessed to come on in because he had hundreds of new mattresses that they could sleep on, despite knowing that this would destroy their resale value. A Pizza Hut manager and her employees delivered 120 pizzas on Wednesday of this week free of charge to homeowners trapped in their homes low on food by kayak! She said that they will continue to do this until they run out of pizzas. A sixteen year old young man and three of his friends rescued at least 50 people using his recreational boat.
These kinds of stories are thrilling! And there are countless more stories of people serving their neighbors. This is what we are called to do when disaster strikes. Pull together, make sacrifices and provide for one another.
The scriptures tell us how a Christian should act in a disaster.
“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2.15-17
Judge a Christian not by their words. That will confuse you. God says you can judge them by how they respond to those going through a disaster. I remember the time a homeless man sat next to me in church. He reeked and I was repulsed by the sight and smell but this scripture came to my mind so I swallowed hard and embraced him. When AIDS first hit New York City, we had multiple people suffering with this disease in our church. One of them was teaching the children’s Sunday School class. We agonized over what to do. We decided to let him continue. He taught my kids and others about the love of Jesus and then God took him to Heaven. Sacrificial serving is what Jesus did and what he calls us to. If you do it, you will change the world.
To the selfless people of Houston and the surrounding communities who have sacrificially gone out to help “the naked and the hungry”, I salute you!