How can we rejoice when others hurt?
By Glenn Kinsel

Had Hurricane Charley followed the projected path, our modest mobile home in St. Petersburg, Fla., could have been among those pictured in the news media showing immense destruction. Our area was spared.

One part of me wants to praise God for this kind of deliverance. The better part of me tugs at my conscience and asks me to humbly hold the many hurting ones all the closer.

From one vantage point, it is very clear that someone else suffered in my place. That indeed is the New Testament message of the grace that we all proclaim. So I live this day with mingled feelings. I am glad for our good fortune and the good fortune of all our immediate neighbors who can go on living a settled life.

But I can't immerse myself in celebrating my good fortune. I must work harder than ever to place myself at the center of the destruction. I must pray that all people who love others will express that love in active care. I must, indeed, do some suffering—the kind of suffering that will strengthen me to carry out the biblical admonition to carry another's burdens.

May God renew my will and strength to be my brother's and sister's keeper.

—Glenn Kinsel is an administrative volunteer with the General Board's Emergency Response/Service Ministries, and a retired pastor.

Source: Newsline 8/20/2004
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