WHEN WE ARE GOOD...

There once was a girl, who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. And when she was good, she was very, very good, but when she was bad she was horrid.

After a week of absorbing the sights of Hurricane Katrina and the effects of this hurricane on our society, especially in regards to New Orleans, I have to conclude that America is the little girl in the familiar nursery rhyme that I quoted above.

We have seen the best -- and the worst -- of America this week. From the selfless sacrifice of volunteers, police, firemen, military, and emergency personnel to the selfish behavior of some in the New Orleans area, we have seen it all.

I am constantly amazed at the goodness of America, for when we are good, we are very, very good. By and large, we are a Christian nation. Even if the majority of the country are just nominal Christians or Christian in name only, our country has been influenced by the Christian lifestyle and when events such as Hurricane Katrina or 9-11 happen, we see Americans pouring out God's grace through their actions as they serve and minister and sacrifice for their neighbors. Christian and other religious organizations have been spearheading relief efforts for the hurricane-stricken region, and giving -- both of supplies and money -- has been nothing short of miraculous. If you have been watching at all, you have seen example after example of how Americans have turned out their hearts and taken in or otherwise helped those who have been affected. Yes, when we are good, we are very, very good.

On the other hand, when we are bad, we are horrid. I was appalled, but not surprised, at the actions of the lawless few who looted and shot at and harassed those affected by the storms and those who were going in to help in the relief effort. If anyone doubts the doctrine of original sin, or the principle that we are, by our very nature, sinners in need of a Savior, then all you have to do is point them to New Orleans. As someone once noted, the doctrine of original sin is the only doctrine validated empirically by thousands of years of human history. This is exactly what we saw played out this week in New Orleans.

So, what is the take-home message for us from this natural disaster? I think it demonstrates that Christians have a lot of work to do in our country. Not only do we need to try to meet our neighbor's physical needs, but we need to use this disaster to help meet their spiritual needs, by demonstrating to them the love of Christ in action and introducing them to the Savior who can save them, not from the natural disasters of this life, but from death itself.

And, I think we need to recognize that Christ called us to go and make disciples at all times and in all ways, not just after a natural disaster. Perhaps Katrina will make us more aware of our neighbors around us who are currently drowning in sin and who are facing eternal death unless we can help them grab the hand of the only Rescuer who can save them.