Making sense of natural disasters

The latest disaster in Haiti–Why would God let this happen? Or better yet, why would God cause this to happen?

Whenever something this devastating happens in the world, there is no way not to ask these things. If you believe in a higher power who has created heavens and earth, you still get to question what’s up with all this devastation.

So, for what it’s worth, here’s my take.

When something devastating is caused by people, like 911–the way I wrap my brain around that one is by saying that all people have free will to create or devastate their own lives and the lives of others. Some people claim that God spoke to them and told them to destroy themselves and everyone in their path. We all get to choose our own relationship with God or our view of a higher power.

Pat Robertson, said on the news, yesterday that the people of Haiti made a deal with the Devil which is why they are now being punished. Are you believing THAT? Well, he is exercising his own free will and his own opinion, no matter how whacked he may be. Maybe the ultimate purpose in what he has to say will serve to galvanize others into a discussion or action of some extraordinary kindness that would have never sparked without his comments. It also could inspire others to find a way to speak out–because he is on the air waves in a position where whatever he says goes out to millions. So, what would be a way to have a positive effect–in a massive fashion–ourselves? That was my reaction to his comments, after I picked myself up off the floor and stomped around for a few minutes to work off the steam. Maybe his comments will light the fire of ambition in someone considering a career in the pubic media.

So, we’ve talked about how people-driven disasters of both action and words can affect us. In the case of these huge weather systems, it’s another story. If you look at the bigger picture and see the causes of these typhoons, earthquakes, erupting volcanoes, wild fires, mud slides–all of them are forces of God/nature. They can be explained by people who are much smarter than I about the scientific and atmospheric conditions of cause and effect. The people of Haiti weren’t singled out for disaster any more than someone living in Malibu, who loses their home into the ocean in a mudslide. They were just caught in the path of the overwhelming forces of nature, colliding at the same time. Our weather, our climates, our earth is in an ever-evolving, morphing, moving, shifting state–that’s the beauty and the treachery of it.

Weather is a huge dictator of our every days lives, all the time. I moved from Houston because the heat and humidity was like a bad day in Vietnam for me. Days that are snappy apple cold, crisp and clear are my favorites. There weren’t too many of those there. Weather determines where we like to vacation, when we have family reunions, graduations and weddings. It can affect our economy when crops freeze in Florida or when there is no snow for skiing or a huge flood in the Heartland. A dark, dreary, cold, rainy day can affect our moods–some of us may be thrilled to have the chance to bundle up with a good book by the fire–others dread having to go out in it as we slog off to work. We are totally enveloped in these natural forces but for the most part we are not in the path of something so huge and devastating.

And, again, we have a choice as to how to react to the forces of nature. I would never buy a multi-million dollar mansion on a hill outside of LA (even if I could). I would not buy a beach house in an area that had been hit more than twice in 5 years by a hurricane. I would not want to live in Alaska even if I do like cold weather.

Many people who live in Haiti have not had the choices to leave–and never would consider leaving their country. But now, there may be an exodus–much like we saw in the face of Katrina–where people begin to migrate to new places and start new lives for themselves. This may end up being the best/worst thing that ever happened to them in the long run. Who can say? Not me. That’s when I focus on my faith that the bigger picture, one beyond my imagination, will unfold.

What I see as the higher purpose in all of this is that it reminds those of us–who may be at home reading this–or who are on their way to a job–maybe even one that you aren’t that wild about–STILL… how lucky are we? Purpose #1–Gratitude in huge measure for whatever life we are living right now, this moment. I would take my life, with all its challenges over anyone struggling to regain some semblance of life in Haiti…wouldn’t you?

Purpose #2–The outpouring of kindness and generosity from all parts of the world. The people of Haiti, who in our ordinary lives, wouldn’t have been on our radar, one way or the other, are now getting our attention like never before. Our hearts and millions of others, are full of compassion and prayers toward this ravaged country. Every corner of the world has focused their attention on ways to help. And doesn’t this global effort serve to bring ALL OF US together in goodness, rather than the ripping that goes on when world leaders are taking their countries into their own devastating sink hole?

For me, it is deeply reassuring to witness the real depth of desire to see our fellow man treated with dignity, kindness and care. We don’t know these people. They are not going to get us into the club or raise our salaries or christen our kids. They are simply human beings in desperate need.

I believe times like these remind us that MOST of the world and the people in it are simply souls in search of a purpose. We just want to love and be loved. We want to share our lives with people who, like us, want to live in passion, purpose, peace and prosperity, whatever that means for each of us. So, in that awful, weird, seemingly upside down way–a gut-ripper of a disaster like this one calls up the most innate natural qualities of goodness in humankind–at a fever pitch–at an impossible to ignore level. It could restore our faith in the basic DNA of humanity as a whole.

Purpose #3–These things also remind us that we can’t always know everything. In a world with a zillion bits of information at our fingertips on every conceivable subject, we are reminded that information is not wisdom. More wisdom comes from falling down and figuring out how to get up, than any HOW TO manual. From the chaos comes the Phoenix. That is something we CAN count on, but knowing how it will evolve, step by step, is out of our hands. It’s called surrender. And, that does not mean defeat. It means “work with what you’ve got”. Accept the situation. Learn from it. Find your strength. Get Moving.

The sense that can be made from this is the way in which we can apply the bigger lessons to our own lives. If there is a way to help in Haiti, directly, of course–do it. Donate to the Red Cross, for one thing. But don’t miss the challenge of seeing what this stirs up inside you. That grit can become pearls of wisdom waiting to reveal themselves.

What’s your take?

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