We’ve all been shaken by the pictures and video from Haiti. Roads are littered with the debris of buildings and worse, the bodies of the human toll. The images have stirred compassion among us. We realize that as bad as the economic/political/meteorological news is in the USA, it could be worse. Generosity has been the result. Large corporations and wealthy celebrities have pledged their millions. What is more amazing is that millions of everyday folk through their joint sharing are giving hundreds of millions.
They need new roads. Traffic in the city of Port-au-Prince is bad. Getting aid there is even more difficult. Something good can come to the Haitians in this time of dire need, and a way is being made through the earthquake fractured community. Governments of the world and Christian Aid groups are working together to pave the way for relief and recovery. Something good will come.
Two thousand years ago, people in need were looking for a Messiah. John the Baptizer showed up with a direct message, “…make straight paths for Him.” The crowds came and asked what to do to get ready for deliverance. John gave them a material ethic: share your extra coat and food, tax honestly, govern fairly. Then, Jesus came. It simplifies it a bit, but of all the things John could have said, he told them how they handled their money showed how ready the road of the heart was for the New Lord.
John the Baptizer’s ethic applies today. The people in Haiti are in need. Even the one who has two coats and a little extra food can share (make a contribution to Texas Baptist Men, Buckner Baptist benevolences, or the American Red Cross). We can encourage our government to spend well and wisely on this care mission instead of wasteful bickering. We can applaud the soldiers (10,000) of them (two I know personally) who are reaching Haiti by sea and air. And some might be going there very on selves (My daughter will go in March.) If we want to see Jesus working there (and contrary to some Christian talking heads) Jesus WILL be working in Haiti, we need to be preparing the way. Already the church groups are signing in the street and the gospel is being preached. They Haitians are ready for a better Way to come. They need new roads.
So, Get that extra coat, sell it. Extra food, eat in, take the cash you had for the restaurant, put it all together and send it to a good ministry actually “boots on the ground” helping Haitians now. This act of generosity may straighten up some roads in your own life and let you meet Jesus on them. That is, if you’re in Haiti.
It’s what John would do.
