A Place to Call Home

God promises to be a source of strength for us, and by virtue of our connection to Christ, we can reflect that strength to those who suffer. Romans chapter 15 states:
1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.
3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me."
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

I believe we are all vulnerable to being weak from time to time - and we can always remember the availability of the Spirit of the Lord.  And, when we have received strength from the Spirit in those difficult times, that can remind us to be ready to move when the Spirit prompts us, prepared to be vessels through whom the Spirit can work.  We can look around and see the need around us and allow Christ's love to flow through us. 

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We all need to experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit; and 2nd Corinthians 1 reminds us that our experience can equip us to provide comfort to others - we can read these verses:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Weather disasters and other crises can bring the opportunity for the love of Christ to be shared with those who are suffering.  We see that time and again.  Jesus comes to us in our times of desperation and makes His love known to us - often, that comes through willing servants who follow His will to minister to those in crisis situations. 

It was less than a year ago when the state of Kentucky was devastated by catastrophic flooding.  And, one of the victims whose home was destroyed now has a brand-new one, thanks to a Christian ministry. The Christian Post tells the story of Jamie Smith of Letcher County, Kentucky.

A group of 150 volunteers from seven states built a new house for Smith's family in 11 days.  The article notes:

The volunteers and funding for the new Smith family home came thanks to the efforts of the nonprofit crisis response organization God’s Pit Crew, which aims to “become one of the most effective disaster relief organizations in America so that we can continue responding as God leads to hurting people in times of crisis — whether it be across the street or around the world,” according to their website.

Randy Johnson, co-founder of the ministry, told Jamie and her family before handing over the keys to the house, according to a Facebook video: “We’ve built a lot of houses over the years and they’re all special, but I can’t tell you how many volunteers and people have said there’s something different about this one. And we don’t know what it is but it’s special, and I say it’s because of you all..."

Smith said, “It’s more than we could have ever dreamed of, and we are forever grateful to God’s Pit Crew because from the beginning to the end of this process they have been absolutely wonderful..."

This act of kindness received media coverage, with a local television station actually on hand for the moment with Jamie's family visited their new home.  WYMT in Hazard, KY reported that the family was...

Counting the blessing they never thought was possible on July 28, 2022.

“When you’ve lost everything, you wonder where to go from here. I could have never dreamed we would be here today. God is good. God is amazing and we are so blessed,” said Smith.

Crises come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but there are common element: they sap our strength, they steal our joy, they suppress our spirits.  When pain enters our lives, we can choose to turn to the source of comfort or try to work it out on our own.  But, through Christ, we can experience His resources in suffering.  

Dozens of families are suffering today directly and more broadly, an entire community is hurting, as the result of someone firing multiple gunshots into what was intended to be a happy occasion in Dadeville this past Saturday night.  And, I am thankful that the people of the city gathered to pray.  God's people have the unique opportunity to minister to those who suffer.

The Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of His people, and the people God become His visible expression.  We can make sure that we are obedient to follow His direction and ready to demonstrate His love in times of sorrow and pain.