Friday (5/4/2018)

Thought for the Day: 

Why?

When disaster strikes our lives, almost universally we cry out questioning, “Why did this have to happen?”  No matter what form disaster takes, it shakes our sense of well-being, and jars our perception of how the world works.  Faced with disaster, people will question the goodness of their fellow man, the fairness of life, as well as, the power and sovereignty of God.

In the perfect world that we imagine, there would be no sickness, no crime, no war, no disease, no sorrow, no hate, no violence, no accidents, no death, no suffering, no injustice, and no heartache. But that’s not the world that we live in, is it?  Inherently it seems wrong to us so we ask, “Why is life like this? Why does this happen? This isn’t fair!” We don’t want disaster to come down to random chance; we want structure and a logical explanation of why it happened as it did.  And from a human standpoint, life often just doesn’t make sense and the answers we come up don’t quite satisfy.

At times, even people of faith begin to wonder what’s going on.  “Why did God let this happen?”  “How could a supposedly all-powerful, loving God allow this to take place?”  From my Christian faith, I firmly believe that God is all-loving, all-powerful, all-wise, and all-knowing.  I believe that He is still at work today and could intervene in any situation that He chooses.  I have to admit that I wish that He would intervene more often than He does and do things the way I think that they should be done.  But He doesn’t. And undoubtedly that is ultimately for the better.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

Although I often don’t understand, I can trust that God does.  I may not like what He does and how He chooses; but I accept that from my limited, finite human perspective, I may never understand.  All I can do is trust Him.

This is how I think about it.  My two-year old granddaughter does not like to be told, “No!”  A two-year old doesn’t understand why running into the street, touching a hot stove, or sticking a fork into an electrical outlet is bad.  Kids don’t understand why bedtimes, or eating your vegetables and limiting candy are important to your health.  A teenager may not like or understand the rules and limits that are placed upon them, so they chafe and rebel.  But a parent’s most important job is not to make their child happy.  It’s to keep them safe, healthy, and help them grow into responsible, productive adults.  It’s a tough job!  And sometimes it is a thankless job!  And most of the time, the kid just doesn’t understand—no matter how hard you try to explain it.

I remember as a kid praying for sunny, blue-sky days so I could play outdoors only to be disappointed when it turned out to be dark and stormy.  If I had my way, the crops in the fields would have all shriveled up and died, farmers would have gone bankrupt, and the world gone hungry.  I’m glad that God doesn’t answer every one of my prayers.  The world would be so much more messed up!

For the most part, I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t ask, “Why?” or question, “What in the world is God doing?”  I just trust that He’s looking out for me and that He has a plan.  I realize that the world doesn’t revolve around me and my happiness.  I’ll take whatever happiness I can get; but I understand that in the big picture of things that isn’t God’s ultimate goal.

“Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. You show steadfast love to thousands…”  Jeremiah 32:17-18a ESV

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.” Psalm 147:3-5 ESV

“For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11 NAS

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”  Proverbs 3:5 ESV

When things go wrong or turn ugly, I’m thankful that I have a faith that keeps me anchored in the storm.  It gives me perspective and it gives me hope for better days ahead (either now or in eternity).