As you probably know from the news, devastating tornadoes plowed through multiple states last week. Kentucky was the hardest hit–especially the town of Mayfield. It was ravaged, with many killed. My heart is broken for the people who live and work there and for those who lost loved ones. I have prayed for them to feel God’s peace, presence, and comfort during this time.

Individuals from all over have sprung into action to pray, serve, and give.

Author Sean Dietrich, known by most as “Sean of the South,” interviewed an older woman who was traveling to help those affected. As a young girl sixty-six years ago, this lady was in the worst tornado in Kansas history. She remembers it well and can definitely relate to what the folks in Kentucky are experiencing. So, she loaded up her F-150 pickup and took off on a seven-hour drive with her truck bed filled with groceries and supplies to help whoever might need them in Kentucky. 

Her only plan was to go where the Holy Spirit directed. She was merely being obedient to give generously of her time and resources.

God gives us so much. Even when there is devastation, He provides, just as He used this lady to deliver goods to those affected by the tornadoes.

God made everything—the earth, the sky, the sun, the moon, the stars, and every creature, etc. He made everything that ever existed and told us to manage it. 

“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” – Genesis 1:26-28

Nothing is really ours. It’s His creation, but He trusts us to take care of it. We must walk in the authority we’ve been given. I am filled with awe and wonder knowing that God entrusts us to manage things here on earth. It’s a privilege, but we also have a responsibility to be faithful in our management. 

Proverbs 11:24-25 states, “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” 

Does that mean we should “give” to “get?” No, but giving has its rewards. You reap what you sow. As His people, we should ask the Lord to give us wisdom to manage what He has faithfully given us. Whether it’s is tithing to the church, helping a next-door neighbor, or driving seven hours to help those affected by storms, God wants us to be good stewards, trusting us to give responsibly and freely of His resources.

To wrap up, a lady saw her brother sitting at his water-logged piano after the tornado had destroyed his Kentucky home. His piano was one of the only things left standing. She captured a video of him beautifully praising and playing the old hymn, “There’s Something About that Name.” There is something about the name of Jesus. Even in the midst of the storms in our lives, He’s with us—loving us and guiding us.

We might not have an F-150 pickup loaded down with supplies to help those in the aftermath of tornadoes or the ability to praise Jesus with piano music, but we do have a responsibility to give of our time and resources which the Lord has graciously given us to us individually. 

How will you pray, serve, and give? Ask the Lord to give you wisdom, not just at Christmastime, but throughout the year.

By Kristy Ensor