Sometimes, in the midst of a devastating tragedy, answers seem evasive. Questions certainly arise quickly—Why would God allow this to happen? When will things get better? Will life ever be the same?—but the answers to these reactionary questions are nowhere to be found.
On December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9 earthquake—the most powerful the world has seen in four decades—off the coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra Island produced a multitude of incredibly devastating tsunamis. These massive tidal waves have taken the lives of at least 150,000 people in 11 countries in southern Asia and eastern Africa, while leaving at least one million residents homeless. Satellite images of the affected areas have revealed immense portions of land completely submerged and once beautiful landscapes utterly devastated.
As people across the globe observe this epic tragedy, with remembrances of September 11 still fresh on the minds of Americans, we can only ask one question: Why?
It’s a justified, natural question—one that God certainly expects from us. One of the Bible’s most prominent figures, David, was never tentative in his probing questions of God. (Psalm 13) As followers of Christ, we can begin to learn the ways of God by seeking answers, through Him, to life’s most difficult questions. We may not always receive the response we seek, but it’s vital that we never leave God out of the equation.
So why did God allow such a tragic event to take place? Ask Him. Get down on your knees and prayerfully engage the Lord with your questions, heartaches, and concerns. He isn’t afraid of your questions. When you sincerely approach God with a questioning heart, He can begin to answer your queries while transforming your heart at the same time.
Remember that God is in complete control. (Psalm 103:19) We must realize that God knows and sees beyond this moment. He will use even this to display His glory.
For instance, in the weeks following September 11, unity among Americans was at an all-time high, donations for relief support were substantial, and people realized the importance of relying on God in all circumstances. Right now, in Asia and Africa, we are beginning to see some of the same positive consequences play out: unity is apparent as volunteers sift through debris searching for victims while countries and private citizens around the world offer vast amounts of aid. God is certainly working in the middle of this carnage.
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