Whenever such a natural disaster strikes, I like many others, begin contemplating this question.
"If God is Love, then how does God allow such pain and tragedy?"
I'll tell you what I think might be the answer.
Maybe it actually isn't the answer to the question...just an idea about a different way of looking at things that might create a different question altogether.
I think us humans have a much inflated sense of our own importance in the totality of the Universe.
After all, according to most creation stories, we humans were the last to be created. Not the first, but the last.
Here's a couple of questions to add to the mix.
What would happen to the planet..and to the beings living on it....if any of these things suddenly disappeared.
Air
Water
Dirt
Trees
Bees
Of course, the first two sustain all life, so we'd pretty much be up the proverbial creek, as a planet, without those two things. Except, of course, there would be no creek anywhere to be 'up.'
How would we grow food without soil? What would land animals eat? There would be little plant life. Of course, soil would pretty much be worthless for growing anything without water anyway, wouldn't it.
Leave the dirt, but take away the trees. That would have a pretty negative impact, too, before very long.
Bees are darned important in the food chain. If they all flew to Mars, or something, again, we'd be in a world of hurt.
Now, ask another question.
What would happen to our planet if suddenly all humans disappeared?
That should make you think some.
It sure startled my mind a bit, when I first had the thought.
Because the answer is "Nothing bad."
Not 'nothing.'
Just 'nothing bad.'
Our planet would be in much better shape if we didn't exist.
Isn't that a crying shame!
A wonderful Cherokee poet and essayist, Marilou Awiakta, wrote this poem.
When Earth Becomes an "It"
When the people call Earth "Mother,"
they take with love
and with love give back
so that all may live.
When the people call Earth "it,"
they use her
consume her strength.
Then the people die.
Already the sun is hot
out of season.
Our Mother's breast
is going dry.
She is taking all green
into her heart
and will not turn back
until we call her
by her name.
For more information about Marilou, go to:
http://www.ferrum.edu/applit/authors/awiakta.htm
I'm in no way suggesting that monumental events like this earthquake..or the tsunami of last year..or the recent massively destructive hurricanes...are Mother Earth...or God.... taking retribution...punishing humans...for our treatment of our planet.
What I am suggesting is that earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados and tsunamis are all part of the original order of the physical laws of the universe. Human Beings are not above those laws.
And so, when we humans make our homes on faultlines and seashores such events should be expected and none should go about beating their breasts demanding to know why they have been forsaken by God. It is just the physical laws of cause and effect happening. Nothing personal.
Does this mean I am not feeling anguished beyond belief for the pain and suffering I know people are going through? Absolutely not. However, every moment of every day, somewhere, someone is going through similar pain and suffering and we don't often get all emotionally involved in those smaller numbers of hurting people, do we? Maybe we should.
Also, it seems to me, that our Mother Earth, has been crying in pain and anguish...and pleading for our help....for a very long time....much like those poor, hurting victims in Haiti.
Let us help one another....and also, let us help Mother Earth to heal...instead of continuing to hurt her.
I am Grateful for our Mother.
I am praying for the people of Haiti. And I sent money. I hope you do the same.
