WHY, GOD?

Why did this happen? It’s so unfair. This isn’t what I expected. How could a loving God allow this to happen to anybody?

How long has it been since at least one of those thoughts has bounced around in your head, and perhaps out of your mouth? That soon, huh? That’s what I thought. It’s a sign you’re human to think that way. It’s not un-normal for anybody to ask “why?”.

Even Jesus asked that very question once. Yeah, the one-and-only God/man asked God why. It was while He was dying on the cross, just before the sky turned black in the middle of the day. He quoted Psalm 22:1 “Why have You forsaken Me?” This was the moment Jesus agonized over while in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was at this time that all the sins of all mankind were placed on the sinless Son of God. This was the only time in all of eternity that God, the Father, could NOT co-exist with Jesus, the Son. Of course Jesus knew the answer, but even He had to go through the grieving process of losing that intimacy and start with asking “Why?”.

So why does the God who created such a beautiful world for us to live in allow such horrific atrocities to happen to its residents? You know the things I’m talking about: tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, genocide, gang rapes, shootings, wildfires that obliterate homes, diseases that stump the best doctors while they eat up family finances, tornadoes that wipe out towns, cancer… I could use up this whole blog listing the examples, but I’ll stop here.

It wasn’t designed to be this way at the creation of the world. Everything ran smoothly until that fateful day a talking snake convinced the first gullible couple that it was beneficial for them to know the difference between good and evil. Instantly they became self-conscious and hid. Then they passed the blame down the line. So, in judgement, God cursed the earth and it’s residents.

That’s why we live in a world that’s groaning, and our bodies are in close pursuit. God passed another judgement of a flood to start over with a family of eight people. But, they proved to be as dysfunctional as anyone you live next to today. You see, evil is in our DNA now. Some follow that tendency more than others, but its in all of us.

I’ve noticed some benefits of calamity. Yeah, I see signs of hope for mankind in disasters.

1) The next time a hurricane, or other large-scale upheaval takes place watch what happens to donations to relief agencies. They spike upward because there’s still a level of compassion in all of us. People are forced to look away from themselves and see those in need. We want to help the helpless in whatever way we can. When a local news story tells of a young child fighting for life people will come from far away to see if they match the child for a bone marrow transplant. We still care deeply.

2) Some people will alter their life plan so they can continue to provide the difference in other’s lives. How many young men and women joined a branch of the U. S. military after September 11, 2001? A lot more than were planning on it before that date, I guarantee it.

3) There are still those who feel called to give their very life to protect any other human being who needs it. Anybody who swears to uphold the law with the backing of a badge, or fight fires to save lives is the best we can ask for. Right up there with military heroes are these dedicated souls. I only wish our societal prerogatives supported this fact.

So, why do so many natural disasters seem to be happening? If God is supposed to be in control of everything, why does it seem He can’t direct more tornadoes away from homes? Or hurricanes away from cities? To answer that I’ll bring in an expert in the field. In chapter 24 of the book of Matthew Jesus is answering His disciple’s questions about the end days. In verse seven and eight He says: “There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”

I’ve never been pregnant, but I know of the cycle of birth pains. They start out small and spaced out. But, as the event draws to its end the contractions get more intense and more frequent. You see, we’re seeing prophesy being fulfilled right in front of us. Along with the wars Jesus mentions with these natural disasters we’re told not to be alarmed when we see these things.

Yeah, we’re winding down to the dramatic end of the world as we know it. It’s all spelled out for us in the Bible, God’s guidebook for us to follow to help us live productive lives. He’s trying to get our attention, but, too many people are content to follow their sin nature to pay attention.

But, why do such bad things happen to so many good people? There’s no way to give an answer to that that will make sense to everybody. So, I’ll give you the best answer I can come up with. You may not be able to accept it at this point in your hurting state, but please hear me out. Everything happens to each person for a reason. Even the unpleasant, dirty times in your life are allowed for a purpose.

When you’ve worked through these things to the point that you can help others who are going through the same thing, you will have a deeper compassion than you would ever have achieved any other way; and those you’re helping will listen to you more than anybody else on this planet.

And, sometimes, it’s the only way God can get us to come to the end of ourselves and give our total reliance on His Son Jesus for our source of strength.

I’ll see you later.   Wade