Today is a happy and sad day in Bermuda. Happy in that God has been merciful to Bermuda one more time in protecting us from another major hurricane. But sad that, amid a week of a big cleanup, someone would pull out a gun on someone on Court Street and we would see two men left in critical condition and put in the hospital’s intensive care unit after an altercation at Southampton Rangers Sports Club.

If this was not bad enough, Bermuda witnessed the death of a 19-year-old male. Today the question we all need to ask ourselves is, “Have we forgotten so quickly what we have gone through just seven days ago?”

Hurricane Nicole was not a baby tropical storm that came our way. The conditions of this hurricane were nasty for a time, but by no means as devastating as some said it would be. This was because there is a God who held back the full force of the hurricane.

Some may disagree and that is OK, but that should not stop us from taking out time to thank Almighty God for His merciful hand over Bermuda and its people. Instead, some have decided to use their time in trying to hold down a country by their bad deeds.

May I say to my young brothers and sisters: let us take time.

We need to take a moment to thank those who have gone out of their way to help us all — like our Emergency Measures Organisation, which helped to prepare all persons on the island for the inevitable. With so many lives lost in the recent path of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti and the United States just a few days ago, the damage left by Hurricane Nicole on our island is small by comparison.

The things we own today can be all replaced tomorrow, but not lives; they could never be recovered in this world.

Let us remember that the hurricane season is not over yet, so let us do those things that can help to minimise loss of life, and not try to take life. Let us take precautionary measures to look out for our neighbours, especially our seniors, and single mothers with children.

The people of Bermuda are known for their spirit of resilience, but that is not enough in helping us to get back on our feet.

We need a spirit of brotherly love and kindness to one another. Although there was no loss of life and minimal injuries from the hurricane, our police and medical personnel still had to be called out to come to the aid of someone who was shot needlessly on the night of the passing of the hurricane. Thank God the man did not die. Yes, thank God. But the days that have followed have been an all-time low for our country.

Listen, my young brothers and sisters, we can’t give life and we have no right in trying to take it. Only God can do that.

If you or anyone have a problem that you can’t resolve, if you have nowhere to turn. If you need confidential help, then call someone that can help. You can even call me and I would be willing to do my best to try to help you or get help for you.

This is what is called “bearing the infirmities of the weak”. As outlined in Romans 15:1, “we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves”.

The big problem in life is that we as a people love to please ourselves.

But the question you and I need to answer today is: “When are we going to start to look out for the needs of others better then ourselves?”

I know this is not the in thing. But it’s the right thing to do.

When was the last time you read “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” in Ecclesiastes 12:14?

Hezekiah Walker understood this point when he sang I Need You to Survive.

He says: “I need you, you need me. We’re all a part of God’s body. Stand with me, agree with me. We’re all a part of God’s body. It is his will that every need be supplied. You are important to me, I need you to survive. You are important to me, I need you to survive.

“I pray for you, you pray for me. I love you, I need you to survive. I won’t harm you with words from my mouth. I love you, I need you to survive. It is his will, that every need be supplied. You are important to me, I need you to survive.”

May we all understand that it is time to put our shameful past behind us. In light of what God has done for all Bermuda over these past days, it is time for all to come together and put a stop to our children killing and attempting to kill their cousins, neighbours, friends and associates. We must put the time in with our youth to re-educate them to love one another.

Remember, youths, young adults and seniors — I need you! Bermuda needs you! Yes, the whole world needs you and, most of all, Almighty God needs you.

Let us all move on in faith, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

•Kevin Santucci is the Chaplain of the City of Hamilton