I have always wanted to be a student of life. There's something about life that is so intriguing! Each day brings new challenges and opportunities. And then there are times when it just doesn't make sense. To say it theologically, in a spiritually and holy way, "Sometimes life just SUCKS!!!" Yes, I know! I know! My mother taught me better than that! In fact, I could not say that word while living under her roof! Well, guess what? I had to take a chance. I know that in some cases, having read something like that on a Ministry Blog, the reader might change the channel, or move to another page. If that happens, then I'll miss you, but truth is, sometimes life is just not fair.
Through the Old Testament, especially in the book of Psalms, the writer does not waste any words. In fact, there are times when it seems the person writing the verse, stops and shakes his fist in anger at God! This always bothered me terribly! How can you dare be mad at God? Won't He strike you down if you shake your fist at him? One thing I learned in my cemetery training... Oh, I mean, er uh, Seminary training. Yeah, that's it! Anyway, one thing I learned there, is that God is not intimidated by any thought or action that we can point in His direction!
I have missed a few days of blogging, I guess because I was getting into that mode of being mad at God. My wife and I have some dear friends, who recently lost someone very special. The family is doing their best to hang in there, but this is so much one of those situations previously described! I am not sure how much I should say due to the family's need for privacy, so I am not going to write of any details. However, when someone steps from this life into the next, especially someone young, that is without doubt a time when life does not make sense! And in those situations, what do we do?
For me, as a Christian, that is where you might say, "the rubber meets the road." Or where, I have to "put my money where my mouth is," as the expressions go. As a pastor for 17 plus years, I have spoken of Faith and Trust in God. And sooner or later, that faith always gets tested. In cases like this, that is just what happens. God is not just throwing things in our path simply to test our faith, but when bad things happen to good people, our faith is surely put to the test. It may take me a few days to verbalize all that is going through my mind, so please bear with me. I hope that you will take a moment and consider this question: "Where is your faith?" Is your faith in your family, your friends, or your job? Or is your faith really in God? One of the most important things we can do is to stop and reflect on this question. What is your answer? I'll continue this thought sometime tomorrow. Remember I am reflecting on this too. And I will talk to you soon.
Blessings,
Hy
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Thank you for talking about this and I look forward to reading what else you have to say. I have had these questions. Why her? Why such a young, vibrant person with so much life left ahead of her? Why is there even such nasty diseases in this world that kill? And, if somebody has to die from these diseases, why not somebody who has chosen to do bad with their life (rapists, murders, etc.)? I know that last thought is really wrong, but I can't help think that. SK did nothing wrong. She made the right choices and lived her life right. It's just not fair. Right before she died I was so upset, but a good friend's mom reminded me that when we pray for God to heal our loved ones, we have to be strong enough to pray that we mean that even if it means that they go Home to be with Him. I have to keep reminding myself that God will do what is best, even if it is what is hardest for us.
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