The Human Spirit

We can't do everything but we must do something…

''Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others''  Nelson Mandella

The clean-up begins as the flood waters recede in parts of Queensland.  Over 15,000 volunteers are registered to begin a salvage operation, with some looking for people they know.  People have come from all over Australia to help complete strangers rebuild their homes and lives.  There has been over 1400 Australian Defense Force teams deported to help with the clean up.  This is more than when Cyclone Tracey hit Darwin on Christmas Day in 1974 killing 66 people.

As I watch the recent flood disaster in Queensland,  and throughout Australia (now in Sri Lanka and Brazil too) unfold on my television screen I have been overcome with so many different emotions.  I have been overwhelmed by the devastation and loss of lives but moved more by the human spirit that has risen up in this desperate time of need.  Brisbane is my hometown where I grew up and it is unbelievable to see so much of it under water.  However, Brisbane has now been swamped with a new flood. Human kindness.

The human has a spirit that does not sleep during the deepest sleep. It is powerful, and is capable of earning eternal life.

John Teske views human spirit as a social construct representing the qualities of purpose and meaning which transcend the individual human.   It is not just the power of one, but many coming together in UNITY – when a group of people come together for a common cause.  If just one person turned up to help with the clean up it would not accomplish much, but together we can really make a difference.

During times of loss and devastation like this it is easy to ask WHY?  It’s human nature to want answers to justify the devastation.  But if we keep asking this one question we will never move on to what’s really important.  Instead of asking WHY did this happen, ask WHAT can I do to help? 

I loved what one man said on the news…”The flood has taken our homes and livelihood, but it will not take our souls.”  There is something in the human spirit that God created only to rise up in the midst of adversity.                                        
                                                                                       
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul.

We have Hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

We can now thank God for the flood of miracles that have come and will continue to come after the flood waters recede.

Yet hope returns when I think of this one thing:

The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue,

Fresh as the morning, and as sure as the sunrise.

The Lord is all I have, and so in Him I will put all my hope.

The Lord is good to everyone who trusts Him.

Lamentations 3:22-25

So I pray that the word God gave me for this year – RESTORE - will be imparted into the hearts, souls and minds to every life effected by the flood waters.  And to those who have not been directly effected, our fingerprints never fade on the lives that we touch… so please help in some way donating some of your time, money or skills.  If you would like to donate money please go to this website

http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

As of today $103,325,414  has been donated by generous souls.  You can also register to volunteer at the above website.