Does Anybody Really Care?

Neh 1:4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, 

 “Ask me if I care!” The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that’s the essence of inhumanity.” George Bernard Shaw put those words into the mouth of the Rev. Anthony Anderson in the second act of his play The Devil’s Disciple. 

Nehemiah was the kind of person who cared. He cared about the traditions of the past and the needs of the present. He cared about the hopes for the future. He cared about his heritage, his ancestral city, and the glory of his God. 

Nehemiah broke down and cried when he heard that Jerusalem walls still had not been rebuilt. Why did this upset him?  Walls mean little in most present day cities, but in Nehemiah’s day they were essential.  Nehemiah was deeply grieved about the condition of Jerusalem.  After his grief he poured out his heart to God and looked for ways to improve the situation.  

Fast forwarding to the events of our time, prior to the 7.0 Earthquake that struck Haiti; not much attention was given to Haiti. Haiti is one of poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Eighty percent of residents live in poverty, according to the CIA World Fact Book.  Thousand of people have been killed and countless buildings crushed in Haiti. Haiti earthquake was so dangerous because the medical infrastructure was already almost nonexistent in Haiti. Aid workers are facing countless critical medical needs for the millions, who have been affected by the widespread destruction, said by officials. Deadly diseases develop in a few days without access to clean water or sanitation. 

Like large doors, great life-changing events can swing on very small hinges.  Some people prefer not to know what’s going on, because information might bring obligation. “What you don’t know can’t hurt you,” says the old adage; but is it true? In a letter to a Mrs. Foote, Mark Twain wrote, “All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.” But what we don’t know could hurt us a great deal! “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” Closing our eyes and ears to the truth could be the first step toward tragedy for us as well as for others. 

Nehemiah revealed a caring attitude in four different ways.

1.      He cared enough to ask

2.      He cared enough to weep

3.      He cared enough to pray

4.      He cared enough to volunteer 

There has been a great outpouring from many countries, celebrities and everyday people to support Haiti during this time of adversity.  Like Nehemiah let us care enough to ask what can I do, weep with those who are weeping, pray for those who are experiencing difficulty and volunteer to help where we can. 

When God puts a burden on your heart, don’t try to escape it; for if you do, you may miss the blessing He has planned for you.  If God is going to answer prayer, He must start by working in the one doing the praying! He works in us and through us to help us see our prayers answered. 

God is still looking for people who care, people like Nehemiah, who cared enough to ask for the facts, weep over the needs, pray for God’s help, and then volunteer to get the job done. “Here am I, Lord—send me!” ~ God Loves you and so do I…… Pastor Tammy