Before we can come even close to an answer to such a question, we need to question our intention. What is our intent in asking the question? Do we really want the answer? Maybe we are looking for our circumstances to be changed more to our liking and could care less about the greater reasons for our calamity. Are we asking the question in anger or is it cynically rhetorical? Are we asking in surrendered faith? Are we asking only while the emotions of grief are fresh but ignore the questions and their answers when our intellect is not drowning in emotions? If we are asking it in order to fuel our present angst or cynical viewpoint; if we are looking for another reason to write off God, then we might as well not bother asking the question.
The question of why is a wholesome and good question if we are willing to let it lead us to actual truth. I have heard some preachers and Christians advise that we should not ask why but "what?" As in, "What does God want me to learn from this?" Obviously, that is a good question for any situation, but asking why is an important step in grief. Multiple, faithful people in Scripture asked God why. Our hearts want to know why, and our intellect wants to know why. To not ask why would starve both of an important step in our growth and healing. The question remains if we are truly ready for any answers. Often the answer to such a daunting and cosmic question will not fit into our preconceived notions about God and life. Skeptics and nonbelievers often accuse someone of my faith as being close-minded. The fact is, to be a Christian means you have to be the most open-minded, open-hearted, opened-souled person of all. We have to or else we would put God in a box. When we are truly open to discovering who He is, then our open minds, hearts, and souls get filled. They are filled with His truth and Spirit. Let us ask "why" but let us also surrender to the Answer.
It's not comfortable. It's not comfortable to put ourselves under the magnifying glass to look for what may be holding us back. What keeps us from seeing the Truth before us? What keeps us from being changed by it? Why does our daily life not reflect what we truly believe? Is our idea of God or what it means to be a Christian even close to accurate? Honestly asking ourselves these questions is not comfortable.
But on the other side of this discomfort, there is a freedom and a newness. The God of the Bible certainly loves us, and so much so that He won't leave us the way we are. He will not waste our suffering. He will not allow it to be for nothing. He will not waste our blessings and fortunes either. Unfortunately, we can be so blinded by our presuppositions, by our anger or cynicism, that we miss it. We miss the opportunity to see God's grace, truth, love and even mercy in the midst of suffering. He doesn't waste it, but we sure can. Being a Christian does not give us a pass on suffering. Being nice does not protect us from pain. This is a world where everyone will face it. The real question is: how are we going to face it? Will we face it in Truth and Spirit? Will we face it and truly keep ourselves open to God? Or will we just see it as one more reason to not trust God and just stay the way we are?
"Why didn't He save the day?" He did! He saved the day on the cross and at the tomb. Sure He could intervene in every circumstance and make it more pleasurable. He, in fact, does at times. But if He intervened every time, when would it end and according to whose definition of "pleasurable" will it be, ours or His? Instead of simply treating the symptoms of this fallen world and its suffering, He cured the disease. When He became flesh, died on a cross and rose again, He defeated the ultimate consequences of sin and death. He gave us a chance at new life, not just in the eternal age to come, but here and now. Will we see it or will we waste it? Let us check our intentions and then ask the questions. Let it lead us to the truth...
Amen! Thanks for posting. I look foward to reading your posts. Michelle J.
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