Yesterday evening a very destructive tornado hit Joplin, Missouri.  This is a devastating event, for a lot of people, and there has been a tremendous loss of life and property.

Tornado Damage in Joplin, Missouri

St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Missouri

I have several close friends and family members in the area, and my wife’s sister lives very close to where the tornado hit.  We spent some time on staff at a church in the Joplin area in 2004-2005.  Our son Titus was born there, in Freeman Hospital, just down the road from where the tornado struck.  And Heather and I both graduated from Ozark Christian College, on the north side of Joplin. We are well acquainted with the area and the people.

After several phone calls yesterday, we’ve finally determined that our friends and family are all ok.

Not everyone was so fortunate.  The tornado, categorized as an F3, hit Joplin directly, causing massive damage to St. John’s Regional Medical Center, and a nearby residential area.  As it journeyed though town, it also caused significant damage to Lowe’s and destroyed a Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Heather’s sister was in the Wal-Mart when it was hit.

Store employees evacuated as many people as possible into the back of the store and into the restrooms.  When Heather’s sister emerged, the store was destroyed.  Had she not been ushered into the restrooms, the outcome might have been much more tragic.  Unable to find her vehicle, she walked home.

Even amid such tragedy, God was at work, protecting her and others.  Our nieces were at their dad’s house, and not with their mother, and are safe as well.

There are a few things that I think we can do in the aftermath of such devastation.

1. Donate financially. We can help by sending money. SEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency, has set up a hotline you can call to help out.  If you are a Missouri resident, dial 211, and you’ll be directly connected to their offices.
2. Donate blood. One of the areas hardest hit was a hospital.  That entire facility has been compromised, along with its medical supplies.  With those resources destroyed, and the staggering loss of life and injuries, your blood is needed.  Check with your local Red Cross for more details.
3. Donate time and resources. If you are close to the Joplin area, go help.  People are trapped in buildings and cars, debris is everywhere.  There is much work to be done, much of it is time critical.  If you are able, go help.
4. Pray. While we do the things that we can, we also realize that there are things that we cannot.  But God can.  Do what is possible while lifting up to him the impossible.
5. Keep the proper perspective. This might just be the hardest thing we can do.  At such a time as this, it’s easy to blame God, and complain about these circumstances, demanding to know why.
    
   For a reminder, take a quick look at the life of Job.  In the first chapter, Job is presented with four tragedies in a very short amount of time.  His oxen and donkeys were stolen by the Sabeans.  While he was receiving that report, another messenger arrived to tell him that his herd of sheep had been destroyed.  While he was receiving that report, yet another messenger reported that the Chaldeans had raided his herd of camels.  And while that messenger was still speaking, the unthinkable happened: A messenger came, reporting that a massive wind had destroyed the house where his ten children were feasting, killing them all.
    
   Talk about a terrible day.
    
   But look at verse 22:  “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.”
    
   And then, in chapter 2, even his health was taken from him.  Verse 10:  “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”
    
   Keep the proper perspective.

We live in a world that is groaning because of the effects of sin.  In a fallen world, bad things happen.  It’s unfortunate, but true.  My point here is not to minimize the tragedy in Joplin.  Nor to attempt to explain it away.  Some of the questions in my head are built upon the simple cry “Why?”

No, my point is this:  When bad things happen, we can respond with grace and mercy.  We can show the world that in the midst of tragedy, God shows up.  God didn’t cause this to happen, but he will shine through it, through his people, as they respond in love and assistance.

Joplin, we hurt with you and for you.  We cry with you.  We pray for you.  And we will help you get through this, and see God in spite of this.

What are your thoughts concerning the tragedy in Joplin?  Were any of your friends or family affected?  Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.