29 Aug, 2006
New Orleans Then and Now: In Katrina's Wake
Because of the area's high water table, cemeteries in and around New Orleans are largely aboveground affairs, such as this one outside Saint Patrick's Church in Port Sulphur, Louisiana, shown at top in July 2006.
Port Sulphur is 8 feet (2.4 meters) above sea level, but that relatively high elevation couldn't save the town—or the Saint Patrick's cemetery, shown on September 11, 2005—when a failed levee submerged Port Sulphur by as much as 13 feet (4 meters).
photo & copy courtesy news.nationalgeographic.com, 8/25/06
Katrina anniversary
What does God's Story (today's scripture) teach us about our real home?
First of all, I thought of this passage of scripture because today is the one year anniversay of Katrina. Who could ever forget the images of the despair and homeless people, especially in New Orleans? Well...I could and I did. Perhaps you did too?
The media coverage is reminding us that thousands of people who lost their homes are still homeless. I doubt that most of us can imagine the feeling of being suddenly "homeless", unless we went to the Gulf area to help in the past year and personally saw the devastation in the landscape and looked into the eyes of the victims.
It's so easy to forget the plight of others and go back to being comfortable with our attachment to "things" and our earthly homes. Yes, most of us have "the good life". But you know what? Life changed for over one million people one year ago and it could suddenly change for you or me tomorrow. Are we ready?
Now, here's the point of today's verses: we should not be so attached to this world, because it could be gone tomorrow, and so could we! Our personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, is forever. This earthly home is only temporary.
Jesus talked about this in Matthew 6:19-21. He instructed His followers to store up our treasures in Heaven, not here on earth. Our service to Him and for His glory will last. So, being Christ-like with kindness and giving to others really honors our Heavenly Father, even when the world around us doesn't notice.
Remember, if we are followers of Jesus Christ, this world is not our home...
How can we connect today's God's Story to our lives?
- Thank God for His promise to take all of His children (those who have received Jesus Christ as Savior) to live in His eternal Heavenly home some day! Praise Jesus that you will not be homeless after this earthly life is over! Confess any way in which you have become too attached to the "things" and "stuff" of this world. Ask God's Spirit to daily remind you that this life is temporary. Now, ask God to show you how to express the love and compassion of Jesus to the victims of Katrina....one year later.
- Live each day with a pretty loose grip on our earthly "stuff".
- Live each day like it's our last, because we could be in our eternal "home" tomorrow.
- Live each day with the focus of praising God with our thoughts and actions.
- Live each day with an attitude of giving and sharing, rather than taking and storing.
- Do a weekly review of how we're doing with the challenge of remembering that this world is not our "home".
How can we connect today's God's Story and our stories to others?
- Look for ways to help the victims of Katrina, now, one year later. If you need help in finding options you can trust, talk to your youth leader or pastor at your church.
- Pray for the Katrina victims who are still trying to find a home. Pray that each of them will come to recognize that the ultimate home is in Heaven through Jesus Christ.
- Talk to others in your "storysphere" about the anniversary of Katrina. Use it as an opportunity to share how part of God's Story includes the promise of living with Him and never being homeless.
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