The Aftermath

I've been full of emotion over the past days.  Tropical Storm Sandy has come and gone, but the results still remain.  I was not affected by it physically or materialistically, but I have been affected emotionally.  I feel guilty.  I feel guilty that I have electricity, food, and a home when millions of people are without.  I know that I shouldn't and that I have nothing to do with this, but I am fighting to fight this feeling.  Would I feel better if I had some issues happening to me?  I don't think so.  I am a complex person and I am really understanding that about myself.

I went to volunteer the other day with Red Cross in Long Island and I met this woman there who had no electricity and she was trying to keep herself together with the kids she had. She stood before me in tears and all I could do is hug her and whisper to her that this may feel like it's forever but it is not and for her to hold on.  When we finished talking a cop came and told her about a shelter she could go to.  That was an answered prayer.

I believe my Father has allowed these things to happen in hopes that hearts will turn to Him and not away from Him.  While watching TV yesterday, the news anchor said the IPhone 5, without electricity, is like a rock you can toss in the water.  He is right.  I believe that God wants us to be truly aware of who He is and who we are and that everything on this earth is temporary and will perish.  See how easy the houses were destroyed and the rampage the storm had in NJ and some parts of NY? God is powerful and He wants  us to be aware of His power and turn to Him.  He has been trying to get our attention in so many ways and this is one of them.  He wants us to turn from our wicked ways and turn to serve Him completely with everything.

Remember that there is no one good but God and all of us have sinned and turned away from Him.  We all need His forgiveness.  He is the only one who can.  He wants us to have a true relationship with Him and not be "religious".  Religiosity has been leading many to hell and that is not where our Father wants us to go.  He wants us to be with Him and to wake up from the slumber we have been in.  I pray that Tropical Storm Sandy is a wake up call for many of us.  I pray that, in the months to come, that many of us will draw closer to God and watch Him do great things in our lives and experience the hope, the love that comes from being in Him.

 Paul said it this way in Phil. 4:12-13:  ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

 I pray that we learn and apply this "secret" to every part of our lives.