Humility

I, like many other Americans, have watched in horror and fascination as the events in Japan unfold. Following a devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami, large parts of the country lay in ruins. Thousands lost their lives. Many of the survivors are without electricity, and the weather has gotten colder-with temperatures below freezing now.

Hundreds of thousands are living in shelters, without adequate food and other supplies. More have had to evacuate their homes due to the threat of nuclear radiation. The country is under threat of a nuclear meltdown, which could be catastrophic, and not just for Japan.

The earthquakes and the tsunami warnings continue.

But through it all, the Japanese people are impressing the world with their character. There is no looting. No rioting. Just calm, going about what needs to be done. Many have volunteered to go into the devastated areas to look for survivors.  People are patiently waiting in lines for food, water,and gasoline.They are waiting patiently for news of loved ones.  I have heard no reports of complaints or violence.

I can't help but contrast this with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the U.S., and the destructive earthquake in Haiti. After Katrina there was rampant looting and violence. But more than that, a lot of people were complaining because help didn't come fast enough. The government should have helped sooner. And when help did come, it wasn't enough. There were many reports of violence on the streets and in the shelters.

And in Haiti, it was similar. Not gratitude that the entire world was pitching into help them,but that the help didn't come fast enough.

I was listening to the Frank Pastore show on KKLA, here in southern California, yesterday, and he was discussing this issue. One person called in and,I think, gave the explanation. The Japanese culture teaches true humility. They do not believe anything is owed to them, so they don't expect anything. They are truly grateful for what they are given, and work hard for the rest.

The Bible teaches us that we are to be humble. I wonder how many of us understand what that truly means.