Don’t blame the Haitians

ON FAITH

The Washington Post, January 21, 2010; 1:24 PM ET

Many have criticized Pat Robertson’s suggestion that the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti was the work of the devil or a form of divine punishment. But if one believes God is good and intervenes in the world, why does God allow innocents to suffer? What is the best scriptural text or explanation of that problem you’ve ever read?

When seeing the unimaginable suffering in Haiti right now, I think it just makes matters so much worse to think that God had something to do with this or somehow allowed it to happen.

The notion that God could stand idly by watching His children suffer and die is an unbearable and unbelievable concept to me. The Christian Science theology I follow describes God as unconditional, unlimited divine Love. It is never a question of God’s willingness, ability and power to help and heal. And yet, we always have the opportunity to turn to Him and understand more of His gracious love for us.

It’s not God’s fault or the Haitians’ fault or anyone else’s fault for this catastrophe. So where does that leave us? Well, for me, as a Christian, I can only share the questions I ask myself: If I have any understanding of God and His Christ, what am I doing to bring this to others in such desperate need?

I don’t want to undervalue the importance of relief efforts ongoing right now in Haiti. These are vital and so much more is needed. But if we are trying to figure out where God is in all this, I would say we are asking the wrong question. I ask myself often, where am I with God? And how is my life reflecting His Love, especially in a world capable of such horror.

Rather than citing just one scriptural text, I would rather cite all four Gospels in the New Testament as evidence of God’s all-embracing Love. Whenever Jesus encountered suffering or illness or even death, he did something about it. He was not apathetic, detached or arbitrary in his care and love for others. He did not ask about a person’s religious affiliations or past history before healing them. When he fed the five thousand with a few loaves of bread and fishes, there was no Christianity litmus test to see if they were worthy to be fed. He fed them, loved them, healed them.

Shouldn’t the same be said of us? And isn’t that the best way of proving God’s great love for all his children.

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