The events of the earthquake in Haiti are quickly fading in the conscience of our North American media and our own minds.  There are always new sound bites, new stories or other incredible events of the day to capture our attention and imagination.  That does not, though, diminish the questions that we ask or the unresolved answers that we seek. 

The events may change, the circumstances are different, and the locale and the people are not the same, but the questions remain.  From 9/11, to Thailand, to New Orleans, to Haiti, in the last decade we have see unbelievable devastation and the only constant has been the loss of human life and the questions that seek to make sense of tragedy.

I've given some thought and prayer to this, especially in light of our own much smaller tragedy here at CHC. The conclusion I have come to is the answers we give are so often trite and meaningless in light of what has transpired.

I can't tell you the government is durable and will come together to help alleviate pain and suffering.  It didn't work down in the U.S. with Hurricane Katrina and the Haiti government has been virtually wiped out in the earthquake.

I can't tell you the military is going to make things right.  While we've seen heroic efforts on the part of the military in Haiti, that always has to be weighed in light of what a military's first function is - the defence of a country and the waging of war - two purposes that stand juxtaposed to humanitarian relief and the ease of suffering.

I can't tell you that our financial markets will come to bear and that massive amounts of money and material aid will solve the crisis.  Money and aid will definitely ease the suffering, but they are incapable of preventing what has happened in Haiti, New Orleans and Thailand.

Psychologically, the events of two weeks ago have damaged and hurt people. The pictures and stories have frightened people, and the "what ifs" have confused people.

The political system is not imperishable, the military is not omniscient, the financial markets are not limitless, and our psyche is all too fragile.

So, what am I as a pastor supposed to say and how do I answer the questions that are inevitably raised?

I was talking this afternoon with a friend who was relating that his wife wanted assurances and wanted to know that as Christian we are immune from the kinds of things that we're seeing coming out of Haiti.  That is certainly understandable and a reassurance I wish I could give.  I want to be able to gloss over our vulnerability and I want to be able to say that if such an earthquake struck us here in the Lower Mainland we would withstand it far better than the poor souls of Haiti.  I want to look at our strength and ability and say that we are better prepared, better equipped, better able to take care of ourselves, but there is nothing in scripture that tells me we are immune from the tragedies we have witnessed in the last several years.

Rather than reading about freedom from difficulties the scripture writers, such as Peter, warn against being surprised that we face trials.  I Peter 4:12-19, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trials when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  But let none of you suffer as a murder or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.  For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  And 'If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?'  Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good!"

Now obviously Peter is writing about persecution for our faith, but the principle remains the same.  Our strength is not in the absence of difficulties, or in the hope of human intervention.  Our strength is not in our earthly existence, but in Biblical truth that God's judgment falls on believer and unbeliever alike, and is used for purifying in some cases, punishing in other cases, and leading to repentance among all.  Our hope is in the truth that no matter what may befall us, or what we may face, nothing can separate us from the love of God!  Not distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or war.  No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us!  (Romans 8:35,37).

In the best and the worst of times, when all is giving way and nothing makes sense, our hope is in the fact that the love of God will keep us, the love of God will sustain us, the love of God will, if necessary, bring us home to be with Him.  Though death may seem to gain the upper hand in these tragedies, our existence is not limited to this time, place, or planet.  In all these things we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.  That is our hope today as we look at the world around us and while that may not answer the question of why, it does sustain us in our uncertainty!