A Work in Progress

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

It’s a new year, and God is in the Compost Pile has a new look. As the title of the blog suggests, God constantly recycles his work. Everything -- the Earth, the heavens and even we humans -- are God’s work in progress.

Last week, we saw a terrible earthquake in Haiti. The images on television stay with us, and we find ourselves asking, why? Why does the world seem so filled with violence, injustice and disasters?

Almost 3000 years ago, the prophet Habakkuk wondered the same thing. He cried out to God: “Our LORD, how long must I beg for your help before you listen? How long before you save us from all this violence? Why do you make me watch such terrible injustice? Why do you allow violence, lawlessness, crime, and cruelty to spread everywhere? Laws cannot be enforced; justice is always the loser, criminals crowd out honest people and twist the laws around.” (Hab.1: 2-4 CEV).

Does that sound familiar? Our world today seems in constant turmoil.

So, how did God answer Habakkuk? He said, “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” (Hab 1:5 NIV)

Now, Habakkuk took that to mean that God was going to turn things around for the better, right away. Can you imagine the relief that he felt? But often when we anticipate how God will act, we discover that He has something entirely different in mind. God’s answer to Habakkuk was to allow even more violence and unrest. He let an evil army prosper – for a season – but he promised to destroy them in the end. This certainly was not the solution that Habakkuk wanted, but it was part of God's plan, His work in progress.

We can’t know why God allows bad things to happen. A well-known television evangelist suggested, last week, that the Haitian people brought this disaster upon themselves as a result of an ancient pact with the devil. Other people have said that God has turned away from all of us. Atheists believe that there is no God and bad things are just a part of life. The truth is we cannot be certain why bad things occur, but as Christians we believe that they are part of God’s perfect plan for the world. As children of God, we hang on to the words of Romans 8:28:

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

If you would like to help the people in Haiti, here are links to several trusted charities:

Samaritan’s Purse

Compassion International

The American Red Cross

And, of course, the most powerful way that you can help is to pray.

Dear God, Last week, we saw a terrible earthquake devastate the lives of many innocent people. We don’t know why this happened, Father, but we ask for your compassion on the people of Haiti. We rejoice that the world is pulling together in love to help them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen






Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”