I-35 W Bridge Collapse and Evangelism
Posted by Cory Tucholski on August 3, 2007
I encourage everyone to read the full story, linked below, but this excerpt is touching:
We prayed during our family devotions. Talitha (11 years old) and Noel and I prayed earnestly for the families affected by the calamity and for the others in our city. Talitha prayed “Please don’t let anyone blame God for this but give thanks that they were saved.” When I sat on her bed and tucked her in and blessed her and sang over her a few minutes ago, I said, “You know, Talitha, that was a good prayer, because when people ‘blame’ God for something, they are angry with him, and they are saying that he has done something wrong. That’s what “blame” means: accuse somebody of wrongdoing. But you and I know that God did not do anything wrong. God always does what is wise. And you and I know that God could have held up that bridge with one hand.” Talitha said, “With his pinky.” “Yes,” I said, “with his pinky. Which means that God had a purpose for not holding up that bridge, knowing all that would happen, and he is infinitely wise in all that he wills.” (source)
The bridge tragedy could easily be evidence of God’s judgment and wrath outpouring on mankind. Instead, John Piper focuses on divining the purpose in the tragedy; the message God intends to send the survivors of the incident.
Jesus was brought news that people were suffering and dying even in His time. His response? Repent, or else you will face the same thing.
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5)
Jesus tells us that the purpose behind these seemingly senseless acts of God is to simply call the world to repentance.
And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13:5-9)
This parable seems to imply a limit to the number of chances we get to repent. Bad news for many people I know, good news for others. But a call to Christians everywhere: take each witness opportunity that God grants you and use it to its fullest! You never know if this chance is that person’s last.
