Trouble Meets Peace (Help for Haiti)

I like many others have been overwhelmed and at a loss for words for the suffering caused by the devastating earthquake in Haiti.  I haven’t said much about it online though we’ve prayed in our church and prayed in private.

One of many beautiful promises that Jesus gave us was peace.  John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

As Jesus’ time of suffering comes nearer, He tells His disciples in John 16:33 that “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

It’s in the midst of suffering that seems unbearable, whether by oppression or natural disaster or emotional pain, that we can effectively draw on peace that goes beyond temporal realities and our understanding.

If Jesus gives peace, then we also (as His body) have to give peace. Moving back to the subject of Haiti, I cannot go there right now, but I can pray and I can try to help in any way I can. I can attempt to inject a little peace into a terrible situation.

We can think that “someone else will give” or that “with all the support raised so far, they should have more than enough.”  Sadly, we can look at Katrina-devastated New Orleans and the problems they still encounter after all the rebuilding efforts and realize that this is a thin delusion (and here in the US, we’re in one of the richest nations of the world).

What can we do? I’m can’t say I’m going to raise millions for the rebuilding effort, but I am offering to do something.

I got an email from CD Baby, the distributor of mine and many independent artist’s music.  They have decided to make a donation for every purchase on their website.  Here’s what they said:

Starting on Monday, January 25th and continuing for two weeks, we will donate $1 of our cut from every CD sale through our website, and $1 from every download sale over $8.99 on our site, to the American Red Cross and to Mercy Corps, a Portland-based relief organization with a large presence in Haiti. With your help, we hope to raise tens of thousands of dollars.

I was convicted because I know as God’s people we are meant to make an impact, and even though throughout the world, I know we are, it has to be personal.  I remembered Proverbs 21:13, “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.”

I’m opening my ears and allowing God to open my heart. Since CD Baby is giving a dollar for every purchase made in the next two weeks, I’m going to give $5 for every album purchase (digital download or CD) made starting January 25.  I’ll turn around and  give this to World Vision.

You can support the efforts in Haiti and get, what I feel is, some great worship music in the process.  Maybe it’s not your style, no problem! But maybe you know someone who might like it. If you already have this music, you can purchase it for a friend or whatever you like.

I hope you’ll help me in this and that we’ll have a great testimony of what God has done.  Let’s participate in the life of Jesus and bring some peace. After all, that's exactly what He did—our trouble met His gift of peace.

Link to the worship music (this is one album, 3 others are linked to on the left)

Direct link to give to Red Cross

Direct link to World Vision

Or text “Haiti” to 90999 and a $10 donation will be charged to your phone bill.


Will you consider sharing this as well via twitter, facebook, your own site, wherever? Thanks.

This post was also submitted to a blog carnival hosted by Bridget Chumbley and Peter Pollock. Check out more entries on the topic “Peace” by clicking here.