"Why?"

It's often the first question on our lips in the aftermath of personal, national or international tragedy. Before the shock even wears off, we often raise our gaze toward the heavens in wonder.

"Why?"

Psalm 62.11-12 says, "You, O God, are strong; you, O God, are loving." But when a hurricane destroys an entire gulf coast region, people naturally question: If God is so strong and God is so loving, then why did this happen? Why didn't God intervene? Perhaps, some often conclude, God is not as strong and loving as the Bible makes God out to be.

"Why?"

For 40 chapters, Job and his friends tried their best to answer that question. And for 40 chapters, their best theorizing was empty.

"Why?"

Jesus was asked that once during his earthly ministry. In Luke 13.1-5, in the aftermath of a tragedy at Siloam when 18 people were killed by a falling tower, Jesus was asked, "Why?" But notice how he moves the discussion, away from the question of "Why?" to the question "What?"

"What?"

What do we do in light of the tragedy? Our penchant in our scientific, Western culture is to have an answer for every dilemma. But for some dilemmas, there are no answers as to "why?" But there is always an answer to "What should we do?"

"What?"

Tell you what I'm going to do: I'm going to make contact with David Hicks, former missionary and current preacher at the Carrollton Avenue Church of Christ in the heart of New Orleans, who was so kind and gracious in receiving Mandy and I back in February. As soon as possible, I want to know from David what I can do to help.

It's natural to ask "Why?" It's ultimately best to ask "What will I do?"

What will you do to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a region in dire need?