War. Earthquakes. Famine. Genocide. Child Soldiers. Suicide. Cancer. Sicknesses. This list could continue for a long time. It could continue to depress us. It could continue to sow seeds of doubt in our mind about the care of an infinite God.
We ask why when bad things happen. Is that wrong? Is it wrong to question God? Why would a loving God do such a thing, whatever that thing is? The answer to that question isn't yes or no. On one hand God wants you to cast your cares on Him. He wants you to fall at his feet and look to him for answers. But the same God who wants us to fall there, wants us also to rest there. The prophet Isaiah writes, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You." (26:3). Promise.
A few months ago I asked you to consider that why doesn't matter, but that Who does. That's easy to say, but when we watch endless footage of places like a Baghdad street bazaar that was just blown up by a suicide bomber or footage of hundreds of thousands dead in Haiti, or when we're going through the breakup or sitting with a loved one who just got that terrible diagnosis, its hard to think of the One that matters and not the matter at hand. Its hard not to be introspective and not Christ-reflective.
Honestly, I've sat though many struggles and asked why. I've cried out to God in anguish. I've worried until I've wept. This blog is for me. This blog is probably also for you.
A few weeks ago some friends and I looked at the life of Joseph. Bad stuff happened to Joseph. His brother's got jealous, threw him in a hole sold him to a group of people headed to Egypt. Joseph got accused of attempted rape, ended up in jail and despite helping a man escape, he was forgotten and stayed in jail even longer. Talk about bad things happening. But through it all, Joseph did what I fail to do -- Joseph trusted God because he knew the promises of God. Joseph did all he could to honor God in spite of his situations. Look at Joseph's story. Look at how Joseph's story affected the stories of the people around him and how Joseph's story fit into God's story. What do bad things have to do with us? Maybe nothing... maybe everything. I've written more than I wanted to, but before I finish, I'd encourage you to watch the trailer for the movie "To Save a Life" and then support that movie in the Theaters. Each life affects another and while our Pain may run deeply, the way we handle the pain and the One we look to for guidance during the pain, will affect the way others live their lives. So may we give up the "everything" and search for the Only thing. And may we know that why doesn't matter, only trust in the Who matters. And may we continue to daily surrender.
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