TANZANIA BUS ACCIDENT
In this article, I do not intend to go into the details of this terrible tragedy that YWAM International is going through. We have lost 11 of our own in the space of a moment. Our prayers go out to all the families of our brothers and sisters affected by this tragedy. My thoughts go out in particular for the families of some of them whom I have had the grace to know, such as Chimène, that exceptional woman or Zabulon, the incarnate of serenity.
Last month I wrote an article about my belief that 2024 would be a year when our faith would be put to the test. At that time, I had no idea that what I was saying reveal to be true. When a tragedy like this hits us in the flesh, our foundations can shake, can tremble. Yes, shake ! Just shake, but certainly not collapse ! We’re human and it’s emotionally hard to go through that. However, Christ in us will quickly help to overcome it if we allow Him to, root us even more deeply in the truth, while taking care of our humanity. To do this, he will comfort us, restore us and heal us, especially emotionally.
The truth is that God is GOOD, JUST and SOVEREIGN ! Many of us have sometimes sung the song “God is good at all times…”, his goodness does not depend on circumstances ! His goodness is in is DNA, Jesus said “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11) and will affirm that only God can be good (Luke18:19). Sometimes circumstances force us to become more deeply aware of God’s nature. We then know him better, but his image or our perception of him image seems even clearer, more detailed, as Job so aptly put it: “Till now I had only heard of God. I had only heard of you. But now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5) It’s difficult when we are overwhelmed by emotions such as suffering and pain, to perceive his Goodness, so by Faith let us remember and proclaim this truth: God is GOOD !
At times like these, He is our bulwark, our fortress. We need a place of safety and peace to mourn, to convalesce. It is by taking refuge in Him, that we can come through this trial victorious. Let us continue to proclaim the Truth His throne is founded on righteousness, as Psalm 89 says (in verse 14 or 15, depending on the version): “Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne; grace and truth walk before your face.”
Finally, I would like to make this recommendation, which comes from our dear apostle Paul: “Out of brotherly love, be full of affection for one another for honour’s sake, be considerate to one another” and “Rejoice in hope. Be patient in affliction. Persevere in prayer. Provide for the needs of the saints. Show hospitality…… Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep”. (Romans 12:10-15)
