The catastrophe in Haiti has riveted the attention of the world on this poverty-stricken island nation. Political differences fade into the background as nations from around the world rally to come to the aid of the Haitians devastated by this earthquake.

The compassion pouring forth in behalf of the Haitian people is evidence of the image of God that is so deeply ingrained in humanity. Seldom is it seen however, due to the profusion of self-centered interests under which it is submerged. It's sad that it usually takes tragic circumstances to rip open the small world of self that encases us, thus releasing the image of God in behalf of others.

"Recent surveys in Britain have brought out the fact that great numbers of people have affirmed that the best years of their lives were those in which they shared the experience of the war. The bombing of cities, the destruction of homes, the absence of rest or holiday, the shortage of food and clothing, and the constant presence of death were all part of the picture; but what colors it all is the memory of shared commitment to a common purpose. That is what brings human beings to their very best, and most of us know it." - Lesslie Newbigin, Foolishness to the Greeks, p. 122.

That is the kind of relatedness we've been created to walk in. Being stripped of the many things with which we cover ourselves liberates us in our nakedness to freely relate in our need for each other. How contradictory it sounds for people to say the best years of their lives were experienced under extreme duress. But isn't that just like the kingdom of God?

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force." - Matthew 11:12.