Reprinted from the Center for Faith and Work at LeTourneau University.
By Bill Peel
My eyes were glued to the Weather Channel during the landfalls and aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma like many of you. And we were all so impressed with both the first responders who put their lives on the line as well as the volunteers who went out of their way to help victims of the storms. And to add to their heroism, many of these were victims of the storms’ havoc themselves.
As I watched Hurricane Maria batter Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, another thought dawned on me.
Thank God for business.
What does business have to do with it? More than we can imagine.
Not only do businesses pay the taxes that make possible the services we need in time of crisis. Businesses make the products that police, firefighters, national guard, and volunteers use to help those in distress.
Without business rescuers would be without food, water, equipment needed to rescue people in distress. They would have to build their own boats, find their own food, and purify their own water. To say the least, thousands would likely have perished without what business supplies.
Who should we thank?
How about John Deere, the legendary farming and equipment manufacturer?
Megan Harrison, social media maven for Center for Faith & Work, whose husband is a John Deere engineer, told me about a man who rented a John Deere dump truck that could negotiate high water and drove it to Houston to rescue flood victims when other vehicles failed. When the Deere dealer heard why the man rented the truck, they did not charge him for the rental.
Thank you Lord for John Deere—and for all the heavy equipment manufacturers and suppliers!
And how about the manufacturers who built the boats and watercraft used to rescue folks stranded by flood waters?
Thank You Lord for the companies that build and sell boats and other watercraft.
Don’t forget the fuel that these vehicles ran on.
Thank You Lord for the companies that explore for oil, drill, and operate wells, and refine and distribute fuel.
And how about the farmers, food manufacturers, water bottlers, grocery stores, cooks, and truckers who delivered the goods?
Thanks Lord for all the folks who kept people hydrated and fed.
We shouldn’t forget the cleanup. Much of that will be handled by city services, but they’ll need lot of help from waste management companies, and companies that make garbage bags, disinfectant, moldicide, and more.
Thanks Lord, without these companies the health of people would be threatened.
And how about the restoration? People rebuilding their homes will need lumber, plywood, all manner of building materials, appliances, and mechanical equipment.
Thank You lord for the lumber industry, the appliance manufacturers, plumbing manufacturers, cabinetmakers, homebuilders, carpenters, and plumbers.
And we need to not forget the businesses that bring electrical power to our homes and businesses.
Thank you Lord for the companies that generate electricity along with the companies that provide fuel and transportation, electrical generation and transmission equipment, and electrical contractors and electricians.
Because God has blessed us with a free market economy, these companies have the freedom to create products and service that meet not only our everyday needs, but can be pressed into service to meet all kinds of desperate needs in time of crisis.
Thank you Lord for all the companies whose work, products, and services foster human flourishing. Whether they know if or not—they are working for You.
Thank you God for business!
Bill Peel is founding Executive Director of The Center for Faith & Work at LeTourneau University
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