When crises such as the earthquake in Haiti strike, many people (Christians included) ask the question, "Where is God now?" I don't want to minimize the pain or hurt the Haitians are experiencing, and I can't begin to understand the suffering they must be dealing with. I don't know why this earthquake struck, but I do know that Scripture shows us that God is omnipresent (everywhere at all times). The Lord promises in Matthew 28: 20 that He is with us always, and we're reminded in Hebrews 13:5 that He will never leave us or forsake us. Because the Bible is the inspired Word of God, we know that these verses are true. The message of these Scriptures isn't any less true during the times when we don't feel like God is with us. Our faith isn't based on feeling but on the Word of God.When we watch the newscasters speak about the situation in Haiti, it certainly looks bleak. Could God really be in this desolate land where 200,000 have now been found dead? Of course. I firmly believe that God is there and that He is glorifying Himself in huge ways, even though we can't see it.
I had the privilege of seeing one of the ways God is glorifying Himself in the midst of this tragedy this morning on the Today show. The reporters interviewed a man named Dan Woolley, who had been in Haiti during the earthquake and was now recovering in a Miami hospital. Woolley works for Compassion International, a Christian mission organization that serves orphans and others in poverty. He was in Haiti filming for a project that would shed light on the poverty of that country. When the earthquake hit, he was headed back to his hotel and quickly found himself buried under 6 feet of rubble. Woolley was trapped for 65 hours straight before help arrived.
During his interview, Woolley specifically gave God the glory for bringing Him out of the situation alive and for supplying him with the things he needed for survival. Woolley said that he didn't have his glasses with him and that he couldn't see anything around him. Woolley attributes God's sovereignty to the fact that he had his camera with him. Because of that camera, he was able to film and light up his surrounding areas in order to find a more stable location to wait for help. Woolley also had his iPhone with him, enabling him to download a first aid app that showed him how to stabilize his broken leg and other injuries. He was able to also use the phone as an alarm, which he set to go off every 20 minutes. This would keep him from the danger of falling asleep. On national TV, Woolley boldly proclaimed that God Himself had given him these 2 items to keep him alive.
Further testimony came from his wife who suffered through days of not knowing whether her husband was dead or alive. Although in despair, she put her hope in the Lord. She said during the interview, "wherever Dan was, God was holding Dan in the palm of his hand. I just didn’t know if that was in Haiti or in heaven." What an incredible witness!
Not knowing whether he would survive or not, Woolley wrote a blood-stained letter to his 2 sons. The letter said, "I was in a big accident. Don’t be upset at God. He always provides for his children, even in hard times. I’m still praying that God will get me out, but He may not. But He will always take care of you." I love this! In the midst of affliction and uncertainty, Woolley kept His eyes on Jesus. He knew that regardless of what happened, that the Lord was with him. He wanted his kids to know that his suffering was not a reason to turn their backs on God. Whether he lived or died, Woolley knew that God's character and Word would remain the same. Because Woolley survived, that letter didn't serve the purpose it was intended to. However, the powerful words that were meant to be his final words to his boys are now national news, and they will surely be used by God to encourage, comfort, and challenge countless people. What a way to glorify God and show the world that His presence was and still is in that dark place.
Times of crisis often result in faith crises as well. It's easy to turn your back on God when you are suffering or don't see Him working. However, Dan Woolley never did that. His story is a powerful testimony to a steady faith based on the Word of God rather than on circumstances or feelings. I am sure that there are many other stories out there of ways God is being glorified in Haiti, though we may not hear them until we get to heaven. Until then, let me encourage you to take heart through this encouraging testimony of Dan Woolley and to follow his example of an unswerving trust in God...no matter what.
*You can read the full article at:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34933053/ns/today-today_people/
