Christchurch: "Why me?"

“Why Me?” “What have I done to deserve this?” These are questions we all ask at times of distress, and now especially those injured or bereaved in the Christchurch earthquake.

As we look to Libya it’s easier to find an answer, or at least someone to blame. Desperate people do desperate things, and the deranged Gadhafi is raining destruction on those for whom he is responsible.

But the answer may be closer to home than we are willing to admit. We are all aware of psycho-somatic illness; that the state of the mind affects the body. Similarly, the moral or immoral state of humankind affects the earth’s stability.

The escalating natural disasters: wildfires, floods, storms, global warming, landslides, and earthquakes are a simple cause and effect, just as the cause of a Libyan’s death is the effect of a shot from Gadhafi’s mercenary.

Scripture supports the claim that the instability of the earth results from sin. It commences with Adam (Genesis 3:18), continues with the nations (Leviticus 18:27–28), and Israel itself (Isaiah 32:12–13).

I can hear your complaint: “Are you suggesting my sin provokes all this?”

There is no hierarchy of sin. Our sin differs from Gadhafi only in degree, not substance. Jesus declared the thought as evil as the deed (Matthew 5:21–22 and 28). And as long as humankind—of which we are all a part—engages in murderous rampage, both in thought or deed, the planet will tremble.

Really, the answer to “Why me?” is “Why not me?” We all share common guilt—as much as we want to distance ourselves from Gadhafi—and all deserve the same fate. What is astonishing is that God offers us forgiveness, through Christ who paid our penalty, if we are prepared to recognize and repent of our sin.

That same amazing grace will finally answer the planet’s instability, when “creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God” (Romans 8:21).

And for those of us who suffer loss from the effects of sin, He offers the comfort we need (Psalm 23:4). 

The Arab Revolution

The remarkable events occurring across North Africa and the Middle East are a turning point in world history. They may prove to be as momentous for the Arab Muslim world as the Reformation was to Europe, the Americas, and Christianity in the sixteenth century.

There are many differences, but a major one stands out. The Christian Reformation was spearheaded by a few men and the simple idea that “the just shall live by faith”—not by works. In contrast, the Arab uprising is virtually leaderless, a spontaneous revolt of common people against decades of tyranny.

Morroco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt across North Africa, and Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, and even Iran in the Middle East are facing thousands demanding democratic reforms, higher wages, and cheaper food prices.

Responses have been wildly different. In Bahrain, the army was pulled back and the police fled. The king is trying appeasement. He has even called a day of mourning for those killed by security forces. Like Egypt, with no clear agenda, the outcome is uncertain.

In contrast, Libya’s Gaddaffi has killed hundreds in the last few days in an attempt to quell the protests. Despite this, today, the Libyan parliament building is burning and police stations are wrecked. Some security forces have defected to the protesters; the country may be poised for civil war.

The Arab nations in the gulf, apart from Bahrain, have so far escaped turmoil, probably because of higher living standards in the oil producing countries, but also the ruthless reign of the Saudi Arabian monarchy. But, like Bahrain, they are not exempt from demands for political reform.

It will take at least the rest of this year to observe how the Arab landscape has changed. It will almost certainly affect the West that still depends on Middle East oil. But the effect on Israel could be disastrous, depending on alignment of Arab nations for or against Israel.

I often wonder why God chose that particular place in the world for Israel to dwell. Any of us could have done a better job of providing a more secure place for the chosen nation. And Christ was clear, Israel has yet to face its greatest distress (Matthew 24:21). Why place Israel in a sea of hostile nations?

God is the Lord of history. He has always been the source of Israel’s defence, but Israel has repeatedly made alliances with other nations for security. “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help” has a modern ring to it. But God will be its ultimate liberator:

“like birds hovering overhead.

The LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem;

He will shield it and deliver it,

He will ‘pass over’ it and rescue it” (Isaiah 31:1 and 5)

These events can also encourage us personally. Because as God is the Lord of history and Israel’s defender, He can surely bring us through “our light and momentary troubles . . . For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17–18).

A $36,000 Microwave?

Ms. Telfer ran a small business, and employed an immigrant lady, who, like other employees, warmed her lunch in the company microwave. However, complaints arose about the noxious smell that permeated the premises from her selected menu.

She complained to the human rights tribunal who found she had been “adversely affected,” and ordered Ms. Telfer to pay $36,000 in compensation. She ran a small federally-assisted business helping immigrants. She had no money, so lawyers began the process of seizing her house to pay the penalties.

Ms. Telfer made an application for a judicial review of the decision, and fortunately, the courts were speedier than the tribunal. A judge immediately ordered a stop to the seizure. Ms. Telfer’s house was saved, but only after much distress on her part.

The incident so incensed Rex Murphy, he took the ruling to task in his inimitable way at: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/02/05/rex-murphy-human-rights-meets-its-match-the-microwave-oven/#ixzz1E2N5FDdI

As Rex pointed out, it’s not hard to see that the consequences flowing from the penalty was itself the real violation of human rights. I believe most Canadians are exasperated at the way human rights tribunals ride roughshod over the very rights they are supposed to ensure.

Because those biased against Christianity and its claims mostly operate the tribunals, Christians are often targets of these kangaroo courts, or denied complaints they wish to bring. The restoration of some basic justice is long overdue if we wish to maintain the freedom of our beliefs.

 

The current human rights legislation authorizes the tribunals that sidestep the most elementary forms of justice required for due process. The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) is in the forefront of seeking overhaul of this legislation. Please support them in their endeavour; we may be the ones who are saved by their efforts.

Check their websites at: http://arpacanada.ca/ and http://humanrightscommissions.ca/

Chooing to Die?

Wael Gholeim was held blindfolded for twelve days during the recent Egyptian uprising. He was one who lived to tell his story; at least 300 died at the hands of the security forces during that time.

While in custody, this young man didn’t know whether he would live or die, but claims he was ready to die if necessary. He was not alone in this; many of the protesters spoke of their willingness to die for the cause.

Commentators have reported that the cause was effective because the populace lost their fear of the police who were brutally used to subjugate the people for thirty years. Death had become a tolerable alternative to the conditions under which the majority lived.

But Islamist terrorists have proved there are many who are prepared to die for their cause, even when their living conditions are comfortable. Those who no longer fear death are a formidable enemy, and faith motivated behaviour is the hardest to change.

Are we Christians prepared to die for our faith? That may seem an unlikely scenario, but willingness to die for Him measures our willingness to live for Him. After all, living for Him is harder than dying for Him, it is a daily sacrifice—and a living sacrifice can crawl off the altar.

How seriously are we attached to our possessions and living style? Both adversity and prosperity may insulate us from God. Suffering suggests that God has abandoned us, while prosperity may fool us into thinking we don’t need God (Proverbs 30:8–9).

Is the comfortable life prosperity has given us is too much to lose? Would we be willing to give it all up for Him, if not in death, in life significantly reduced of its benefits?