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Where is My God?

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. Habakkuk 3:17-19

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:8

When, where, and how will I see the goodness of my God and praise him? After the events of this past weekend, this is a fair question. I am heartbroken by the devastating loss so many families are experiencing. I realize the path ahead is painful and difficult. I did not ask for any of this. When will things get better?

When I attach my faith, security, and sense of God’s presence to material things, comforting and familiar situations, or quick fixes, then I am practicing idolatry. My God will not always be found in these things, but He may still be found. If that is true, where is He? I am scared, I am hurt, I am grieving loss on a scale that takes my breath away, and I am angry. Where is my God?

Now I must exercise whatever faith I have. I believe He is present with me. I believe it will not always be like this. I believe God is shaping me into the likeness of Christ. I believe God will not miss any opportunity to show me his goodness and grace.

How do I know? Because I have seen God in a variety of ways.

After days of travel, stress, anxiety and grief, my family laughed. We turned off Harvey coverage and watched America’s Funniest Home Videos. As my children laughed with pure joy I could feel the knots begin to loosen in my spirit and in my family. God was present in a moment of profound holiness and comfort.

Countless individuals, churches and organizations from around the world have reached out to me pledging love, prayers, help, and material support. When the “all clear” is given, they will come to our community. We are not alone. There is help. There is hope. God will reveal himself in power and glory.

Every resident I know from Aransas County is eager to return and begin the process of rebuilding and healing together. We want to show our support for one another, for our officials and first-responders, for local businesses, for our schools, for the hurting, the broken, the frightened. God will reveal His love, compassion, and mercy.

I could go on. I am proud to be a resident of Aransas County and the pastor of First Baptist Church in Rockport, Texas. I love you guys and I eager to walk through this with you.God is with us.

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