Storms Hit Jamaica and the World Moves On

This past week, Jamaica was hit with an incredible storm that caused massive damage to the island nation and destroyed much of the island. 

When storms like this hit around the world, it is so incredible to me how quickly the world moves on. The residents of Jamaica are left to pick up the pieces of their lives that were shattered from a storm like Melissa and everyone moves on to the next news cycle story. 

I wonder if this “moving on” are indicative of a few things in our culture today. One is the speed and availability of information on news outlets that run a lower 3rd at every break, and even through their program, of “Breaking NEWS” in all red with dramatic music. It’s like every breaking news story is just another interview with someone famous or a host who thinks everything they say is important enough to be “breaking”. Then, when something actually important and stunning happens, viewers are dumbed down by the flashing red lights and dramatic music. 

I also think that even though our world is getting bigger when it comes to information, the care of our local world is getting smaller. That we only care about things that directly affect us in our daily lives even though we hear of shocking events like the storm in Jamaica. 

Then we need to think of this in the context of being a follower of Christ. What are the things that concern us enough to pray for AND we will invest in and financially support? Are we just like the rest of the world and only concerned with what concerns us? We need to look at the Bible and directives for believers. 

In Luke 10:25-37 the story of the Good Samaritan is a great example of the power of taking care of your neighbor when you see a need. In the case of the storm in Jamaica and even other disasters around the world, we can pray, give to organizations that are boots on the ground helping people in need, and even repost things to raise awareness and keep issues in front of people. 

I know for me, I am so busy that things like this storm can get lost in the gyrations of life. I use a list to pray for things until I feel like God has released me from my part in the process. This can be a catastrophic event like the Jamaica storm or even someone who has asked me to pray for them. I take prayer requests very seriously as I know that EVERYTHING we do on this earth should start and end with prayer. 

So today, what are you doing to keep needs in front of you in prayer as well as meeting practical needs of those around you? When we slip into a place of only being concerned about ourselves we run the risk of getting everything WE think we want instead of being used by God and HIS will on this earth. Make sure you are always taking inventory of your priorities and aligning with the Holy Spirit and HIS priorities.