Witnessing in the face of devastation

I know that everyone here loves the Lord and some even “street” preach but what I want to know is when faced with devastation like Japan HOW does one “witness” to a devastated people? I’m not setting anyone up and I am not pretending that I have the answer... I don’t.

I’m just going to be honest here.... I can’t imagine telling someone who just lost everything they own, “Well, Jesus loves you.” I think that would go over like a lead balloon; I’m not being harsh, I’m truly wondering if I’m the only person in the world wondering how to minister to someone in the face of devastation.

The only way I possibly know how to witness to them is to help them; help them dig out of the rubble, help them with a place to live and to hold them while they cry and I cry with them AND to pray for and with them. Does anyone have any other solid ideas?

God bless you,
Lisa

I’m wondering because my life does not normally deal with devastation. How do we put real feet on this Christian life we live? This is plaguing me today.

The only way I possibly know how to witness to them is to help them; help them dig out of the rubble, help them with a place to live and to hold them while they cry and I cry with them AND to pray for and with them.

I have been thinking some of the same Lysa. I would do the same thing as you said. Just be who we are and love, help people with the love of Jesus in us. That speaks volumes.

When I am downtown. I dont preach, and I am glad, I just love on people with the love of God. They know I am a Christian. I dont have to say a word. Smiles, hugs, coffee, goodies etc. and they respond. I know those are seeds that are being planted in their soul even without words. And when I give them one of my photo tracts they receive it.

And as we hear the Holy Spirit, He will tell us when it is appropriate time to say something. But we will be devastated as well and our first response will be, like you said, just to help people.

A great topic. Most important for me is to not be too busy about many things now but to be and stay close to Him in the Word, in fellowship, in prayer & intersession and sensitive to the Holy Spirit so when it comes we will already be in fellowship with Him. He will guide us and lead us to the right place and right people to help. We can be confident of this. It might be a prayer, Lord help us get this person out in time etc. who knows. But God will lead.

It will be a time that our Lord will glorify Himself.

Here is how Jesus replied to a similar "kind" of question.

"There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them. 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No I tell you; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:1-5

Here is a link to Horizon Christian Fellowship in So. California who is already seeking to help these people, and already have contacts with an emergency relief organization on the ground. http://www.horizonsd.org/index.php?p=170. You could simply make a cash donation to this cause and help in a practical way.

I'm leaving to travel to church in a couple of hours but I wanted to respond to Areadymind..

I'm just honestly asking brother that if you were in the devastated area and you went to where everyone was homeless and looking for loved one, you would repeat Luke 13.1-5 to them?

I'm not looking to make a donation... one day devastation will be close by my hometown and I HONESTLY want to know how to minister to them when that happens and as much as I love the Bible, I'm thinking that Luke 13.1-5 isn't going to get it.

Is there anything else you would do to minister to them? How would you be Christ to them so that they would want Him in their life?

Just asking brother, this is weighing heavily on my mind.

Lysa,

We live in tornado alley. It is not unusual to have tornadoes rip through here every year or so and destroy something. Since I have been here in 1961 I am not aware of any lives being lost in our county, but severe property damage, yes. Hurricanes blow through here, too, as well. The reason I am saying this is to let yo know where I am coming from.

Now to answer your question; "How to minister these victims?" Help and not preach. Clean up; cook meals for the disaster workers. Collect and distribute essential items to those in need. Then during the course of working, the LORD may give you an opportunity to share, but mostly it would be to listen to their frustration....

I look at the pics of this devastation in Japan and I am appalled at its fury, its devastation. Yet, we also know God was/is behind it. He is working to destroy the securities people have, to destroy their gods so they can see there is nothing but God. Knowing this is the reality, one must be very careful in sharing this conviction lest one feeds their abiding anger at God. Actually, I would guess most victims may know this instinctively but refuse to acknowledge it. In any case, God will use this as a means to get men to repent - Revelation teaches us thus - but it also says they won't. Sooo....there you be. SIGH

Lysa, the reason I quoted that passage was because the people Jesus is speaking to are the people who are struggling with the theology. In essence, when we see suffering and it causes us to question God, or ask big questions, our responsibility is to make sure we are right with God. Jesus did not tell those people what to say to the families of those who suffered he just said..."you make sure your right with God." Obviously my paraphrase.

If you are right with God, then you are qualified to serve and love these people, what you say to them...I could never advise (Psalm 131.) That is between you and the Holy Spirit. Just remember, the Gospel is the only thing that can save them from eternal judgment.

BTW, I think you were right to quote Jesus saying..."Weep with those who weep."

Thank you all for your answers, I have a three hour drive ahead of me (for church!!!!) and back but I have a lot to think about and pray about during that time!

This has just got me thinking, "Am I ready to minister on the drop of a dime to those hurting?" I must be prepared. Remember to pray for those who are there helping in Japan during this time. I cannot imagine what they all are going through.

When I was about 11, we lived about 30 miles from Zenia, Ohio and that F5 that went through there in 1974, it was horrific; brick homes were leveled.

Anyway, God bless you guys for taking the time to answer!
Love in Christ,
Lisa