Gautier, Mississippi

I'm headed to Gautier, Mississippi this Friday (pronounced go-shea). This will be New Hope's second trip down to this town near the Gulf to continue the immense work of rebuilding after the destruction of hurricane Katrina. I'm amazed at how deep the destruction of this chaotic storm has been - that in spite of the massive numbers of volunteers and resources that have gone into the rebuilding effor it is not complete. The work will continue for many years to come.

I'm experiencing mixed emotions as we prepare for this trip. There is excitement because I've never been to Mississippi and it's always cool to travel to a new place. I'm saddened to think of the reality of this devastation and the suffering that so many have endured, yet there is also a deep sense of joy that so many have responded to the need and that we now have an opportunity to do our part to help.

When thinking again about the chaos that resulted from these storms, many begin to ponder the deeper question, "why?" Confronted with evil of any kind, we seem to automatically move to the question of theodicy - "If God is love, how could God allow evil things to happen to innocent people?" I've often struggled with these questions and still find myself struggling with them today. There are some complex theological answers that I've come to articulate, but such answers are inadequate for those who have to deal with the realities of evil face to face. It can be quite arrogant and unloving to offer such rationalizations to someone dealing with the depth of darkness. In those instances the only thing I can do is point to the cross. God is not distant from our suffering. He has experienced suffering in His own being and continues to walk with us even through the dark valley of death.

As a Christian, though, I can also point through the cross to the resurrection. There is hope! In Christ, Death and Suffering will ultimately be destroyed. But we're still groaning in labor pains and we wait for the age to come - crying, Maranatha, "Come, Lord Jesus!" Therefore, I hold fast to Paul's words in his letter to the Christians in Rome:

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

It is my prayer that we offer more than simply buildings and homes, but through our work in Mississippi and through our everyday lives I want to offer blessing and resurrection hope. May the love of God the Father, the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the power of the Spirit go with us and enable us to be authentic ambassadors for the hope of the Kingdom. Until next time - Blessings ~ RLS