2 Sep, 2010
Unity Amongst Dispair
Chile finds sense of unity in drama of trapped men
(Story excerpt & photo courtesy of AP) SAN JOSE MINE, Chile - Just six months ago, one of the largest earthquakes in a century tore Chile apart, physically ripping the ground, triggering a deadly tsunami and leaving in the wreckage a divided society and a government trying to decide whom to blame. Now, with Chile confronting a new disaster - 33 men trapped in a mine below the Atacama Desert since Aug. 5 - the nation is unified by the drama playing out in slow motion. Sitting alone on a hill above the mine where his brother, Juan, is buried alive, Oscar Illanes, 51, quietly fidgets with pebbles and contemplates how his personal disaster has also become that of his countrymen.
"This accident has crossed all borders. Everyone in Chile, rich or poor, a mining family or not, is sending a positive force that sustains us," he said. "The will to survive started with the 33 miners alone under the ground. It soon became 150 as the families arrived here. Now it is an entire nation, all working with the same spirit to free the men."
There has been some finger-pointing since the miners were trapped -- and it will certainly increase if they are not rescued. The San Esteban mining company has taken the brunt of the criticism for lacking safety standards that could have prevented the event or allowed the miners to escape. But a positive energy floods the town of Copiapo near the mine. "Those 33 men are the focus of every Chilean's attention. We cannot fail to bring them out, that would be unthinkable," said Luis Arancilia, 68, who sat in the main plaza reading the latest news of the accident. "All efforts, all energy must be focused on bringing them up."
Romans 15:1-7, 13 (New International Version)
1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."[a] 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What does God’s Story scripture teach us about unity?
When bad things happen to us, and they will, we shouldn’t be quick to put the blame on others. Even in the midst of natural disasters, manmade mistakes, and just humor error, it is easy to blame others – or even God – instead of trying to learn from the situation, gain endurance, and rely on the Scriptures to remind us of the promises of hope that Christ provides for us. We are to be like Christ, who we see in verse 3 did not seek to please himself. Blaming or tearing down others does nothing to help when there are difficult times in our lives. In fact, it often causes more harm or damage and is destructive. To deliberately build others up does take more work, just like construction work is much harder and takes longer to complete than destruction.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Ask God to help you be a person builder, offering kind words of encouragement. God will be glorified when our hearts and mouths promote unity with one another.
- Have you felt put down or neglected? Treat others the way you would want to be treated. (Do you remember the Golden Rule?)
- Even when it’s easy to jump on the ‘band wagon’ and talk trash about others, stop. Ask yourself if it is building up that person. Admit you are wrong and ask for forgiveness.
How can we connect today’s story, God’s Story scripture, and our story to others?
You will probably have to be the example in showing others how to encourage one another. When you hear bad or negative things about someone (whether you know them or not), find something positive to say. Or change the subject. Walk away.
Find an accountability partner who will help you keep your focus on building up and not tearing down.
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