CW Weekly Devotional - "The Katrina Anniversary" > Clemson Wesley

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Wednesday, August 29, 2007

CW Weekly Devotional - "The Katrina Anniversary"
By laneglaze @ 9:21 PM :: 148 Views :: 0 Comments ::

Friends,

Today marks the two year anniversary of what I have started calling the “Katrina Event." More than a major natural disaster, Hurricane Katrina has proven to be an ongoing tragedy for the people of the Gulf Coast. Two years later most Americans have moved on. However, my guess is that for the people who once lived in the communities ranging from greater New Orleans in the west and Mobile to the east, August 29, 2005 seems like yesterday.

On this anniversary, there is surely much to mourn and to be angry about. But I also believe that there is much to celebrate. Soon after the storm hit, people began to respond in ways that I have never witnessed in my lifetime, with literally hundreds of thousands of people from the U.S. and other countries donating precious time and resources to help those who were suffering. And amazingly, many of these people (and the organizations that they represent) continue to do the hard work of recovery – long after the news cameras have left the scene.

Today I want to share with you the first words that I wrote a few days after the storm hit, the CW Weekly Devotional published September 2, 2005. Within hours of sending this email to several thousand students, parents of students, alumni, friends, and family, plans were underway that would eventually change the lives of hundreds of students and others, including my own. Two years later, I continue to struggle with the things that I saw, the stories that I heard, and the odors that I smelled in those earliest experiences. My heart aches for those whose lives are STILL torn asunder - living in FEMA trailers, trying to find work, haggling with insurance companies, waiting on the government, or just trying to figure out a way to get back home.

Reading these words from two years ago have reminded me of all of the good that has come from what can only be described as a horrible catastrophe. And these words have brought back many memories and served as a reaffirmation of a belief that I hold dearly: we worship a God who is constantly at work bringing new life and hope from the pit of death and despair.

As a Campus Minister, I have noticed firsthand how the Katrina event is shaping today’s younger generation in positive, life-changing ways. Many of today’s college-aged young adults - labeled pejoratively by some “Generation Me” for their love of expensive technology, desire for instant gratification and inflated self-esteem - are different than they were two years ago. In fact, I am beginning to believe that their generation might go down in history as “Generation NOT Me” when the history for this era is eventually told. Next week, I plan to share more about my observations and reflections on this exciting, Spirit-inspired movement.

For now, I thank God today for the many new friendships that I now enjoy because of Katrina. But lest I be too romantic, I know the struggle continues for so many. May God continue to bless the Gulf Coast recovery efforts, and may God continue to raise up thousands of servants “for such a time as this.”

With love for all those grieving today,

lane

For Such a Time as This

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.

Esther 4:14, NIV

Note: This week’s devotional also takes the form of a press release (see below) as the staff and student leadership of Clemson Wesley begin to make plans for assisting the Gulf Coast Region in its recovery. If you feel led to join our effort – either through participating on a team or through financial support – please let me know. CLG

Throughout my life and especially over the last four years as a Campus Minister and Associate Pastor in Clemson, the Spirit of God has spoken to me those same words that Mordecai spoke centuries ago to Esther. “Maybe God has placed you where you are, Lane, for such a time as this.”

How might God use my passion for Clemson Tiger football as a young boy for the good?

For such a time as this, when I am in the position to speak a prophetic word of reason and truth to overzealous fans.

How might God use my hepatitis scare at the age of 17 for the good?

For such a time as this, when I visit with folks every week who are confronted with their own mortality.

How might God use my college experience – half geek, half jock – for the good?

For such a time as this, when I often spend my mornings with professors and other egg-heads and my afternoons with folks who love any activity that involves a ball.

How might God use my over 10 years in business for the good?

For such a time as this, when I regularly counsel students who struggle making Godly vocational choices in our consumerist, get-rich-quick-as-you-can culture.

And lastly, how might God use my experience with Hurricane Hugo in 1989 for the good?

For such a time as this, when as a Campus Minister I am in the position to mobilize and coordinate hundreds, if not thousands, of able-bodied students – students with little money but lots of endurance, passion and time - to assist in the worst disaster in U.S. history. As I have told many people since earlier this week, once you live through a disaster like Hugo, a day that Charlestonians will never forget, your eyes and heart are sensitized forever to the suffering of others, especially those suffering the effects of a similar disaster.

Neither I nor the leaders of Clemson Wesley can prevent all from perishing as Queen Esther was able to do. But we can play our part. A small part yes, but a vital one for those whose lives we will touch.

How has God been preparing you…for such a time as this? Will you “remain silent”…or who you make use of your “royal position”?

With a heavy heart,

lane

Rev. C. Lane Glaze

Director, Clemson Wesley Foundation

Campus Minister, Clemson UMC

P.O. Box 1703, Clemson, SC 29633

(864) 654-5547 (o); (864) 207-9135 (m)

www.clemsonwesley.com

Feel free to forward this email to a friend. The Clemson Wesley Weekly Devotional is a ministry of the Clemson Wesley Foundation, the United Methodist Church’s ministry to students on the campus of Clemson University. The purpose of this email is to look at issues relevant to the life of Clemson students through the lens of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you would like your name added to this list, email Rev. Lane Glaze at glaze@clemson.edu.

For Immediate Release

Clemson Wesley Announces Mission to the Gulf

By now we have all seen the scenes from the Gulf Coast region. Words cannot describe the devastation and the pain and suffering that so many are still experiencing. Many of us living elsewhere, including myself, feel helpless. Having lived through Hurricane Hugo in 1989, I know that the process of digging out will be going for the next two to three years, and the rebuilding even longer.

The Gulf Coast region will remain in a disaster relief mode for a while with local governments, relief agencies and churches focusing their efforts on providing the basic necessities (food, water and temporary shelter) to the storm victims. Hopefully, within 4-5 weeks these groups will begin to move into a disaster recovery mode focused on the clean-up and rebuilding of homes and communities.

Throughout the remainder of 2005 and 2006, the staff and student-leadership of Clemson Wesley is committed to assisting the region in its recovery efforts. Once the emergency is over, non-governmental agencies and churches will be soliciting the help of thousands of volunteers who might be willing to give a week or two of their time. Working through these local groups, Clemson Wesley intends to help in this way by supplying hundreds of volunteers - students and others included. Currently, Clemson Wesley has preliminary plans to lead teams to the Gulf Coast region on the following dates:

10/14-10/18/05 CU’s Fall Break

12/26/05 – 1/2/06 CU’s Christmas Break

3/17 – 3/25/06 CU’s Spring Break

5/14 – 5/20/06 After the Spring Semester ends

The exact location(s) will be determined later as we learn more about the needs. We plan to utilize our personal and church contacts to identify areas in need of assistance with cleanup, roof repair, etc.

Students and other able-bodied people have much to offer the Gulf Coast region in the coming months. I hope and pray that you will consider joining with us as we seek to be the hands and feet of Christ for the suffering of our world.

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