By Jim Denison
A few weeks ago, my wife and I were flying over the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot came over the intercom, suggesting that we look through the windows on the left side of the airplane. We could see a group of ships circled on the ocean below. The pilot informed us that we were looking at the flotilla surrounding the BP Deepwater Horizon site.
From 33,000 feet above the Gulf, its waters looked tranquil. There was no evidence visible to us of the disaster continuing to unfold 5,000 feet below the surface. As many as 2.5 million gallons of oil gush into the ocean from the damaged well each day. Watching oil pouring into the Gulf is a sobering experience.
A website showing the spill as if it were located in my area brings the disaster home.
Efforts to contain the spill are collecting less than half of the oil. Relief wells will not become operational until August. The first tar balls have arrived on Texas beaches; oil sheen and tar balls have been discovered in Lake Pontchartrain. Future hurricanes would hamper or even destroy relief efforts. Government officials are warning that response efforts will last into autumn and perhaps much longer.
How does God view this ongoing tragedy?
First, he continues to grieve with the families of 11 workers killed at the beginning of the disaster, when the drilling rig exploded on April 20. All but one of the dead workers were supporting families; one had an unborn child. Their bodies will never be recovered. Our Father hurts as their families hurt. Jesus “took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows” (Is. 53:4). As he wept with the grieving sisters of Lazarus (John 11:35), so he weeps with those who lost husbands, sons, fathers and friends in the Gulf.
Second, he is personally concerned for the millions of people who are being affected by this disaster. Fishermen and those they support, residents along the Gulf Coast, entire towns and economies — the list of innocent victims goes on. The God who knows each sparrow (Matt. 10:29) watches each oil-soaked pelican and bird, dolphin and fish struggle for life. He cares intimately for every dimension of the natural habitat he created and the people he formed in his own image.
Third, he holds us accountable for our management of his creation. The Gulf and those who live on its shores are his: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1).
He put us in the original Garden “to work it and take care of it” (Gen. 2:15), not to abuse it. “Work” translates the Hebrew abad, which means “to nurture or sustain.”
“Take care of” translates shamar, which means “to protect, preserve, or guard.” When we misuse the skies and soil, rivers and oceans he made, we violate our covenant with God. I don’t know how he judges us for our stewardship of his possession, but I know that he does.
There is good news even in this tragedy, however: Our loving Father redeems for greater good all he allows. I cannot comprehend all the ways he will use this crisis in the Gulf, but I know that he will.
One way he would redeem this disaster is by calling his people into intercession. Have you prayed today for the families grieving those who died when the rig exploded? Have you asked God to grant his wisdom and perseverance to those trying to stop the oil spill and deal with its consequences? Have you prayed that those affected by this tragedy would turn to him in faith?
Another way God would redeem this tragedy is to use it in exposing the fallacy of self-sufficiency. Our culture congratulates the self-dependent — get up earlier, stay up later, try harder and you can solve your problem. The ongoing disaster in the Gulf shows us the folly of such self-reliance. What crisis is calling you to God today?
Flying above the Gulf, I could not see the oil spilling into its depths. Neither can I see the pain, grief, or worry you are hiding from the world today. But your omniscient Father can. Why not trust your secret problem to his redeeming grace?