His scream tore the early morning air as his body hurtled toward the rocks below. Just one misstep and his young life was snuffed out. One minute he was preparing his ropes for rock climbing, the next he was dead.
Today one of our adult daughters called and recounted this unexpected loss of her 19-year-old rock climbing friend. Yesterday Husband and I went to a memorial service for our 76-year-old friend. Our older friend had dementia for years during her slow death. Our daughter’s young, strong, and healthy friend died suddenly in a fall. Our older friend had been suffering in mind and body, so death was a welcome release. Our daughter’s friend was happy and looking forward to a full life ahead of him. Our friend had a lifetime of solid faith beginning at 13 years of age. Our daughter’s friend was questioning the faith he had grown up with. Our friend died in the company of her beloved husband. Our daughter’s friend died alone. Both loved and served others with humility and consideration. Both were loved and appreciated. Both are dearly missed.
What does this have to do with you, dear reader? Just this question. Who do you run to when life doesn’t make sense? When your friend loses their mental capabilities? When your young friend dies before their time? When someone you care about is suffering?
“Even when I walk through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” Psalm 23:4“… no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength” 2 Timothy 4:16-17
Circumstances often scream that God doesn’t care, or that he’s mean, or that he’s powerless to help. We can’t understand why bad things happen to good people. Or why bad things happen at all. But we are finite beings without the advantage of seeing the beginning and the end of our troubles. Even how we see the present isn’t completely objective. We interpret events based on our own experiences, biases, and beliefs. Added to our own skewed observations, we cannot see the motives, experiences, and beliefs of others. We are limited in our grasp of what is going on around us and to us. Let alone the final outcome of these events. We need to reach out to the only Being in the universe who sees, understands, and directs perfectly; the Being who brings all things to his perfect conclusion.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” Revelation 1:8
“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” 1 Corinthians 13:12
“God’s mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as he announced it to his servants the prophets.” Revelation 10:7
What we think about God and how we feel he thinks about us is crucial. If we rely on his character being positive; loving, kind, faithful, gentle, wise, good, powerful, we will be able to trust him. If we feel he is on our side, engaged with us continuously, forgiving, and planning good things for us, we will peacefully rest in him. But if we see God as being negative; judgmental of his children, easily angered, displeased, or detached, we won’t run to him when trouble hits. If we doubt his concern for us, his loving kindness, or his ability to intervene on our behalf, we will be fearful and hopeless. For years I lived my life waiting for the next shoe to drop. I was uptight and fearful of the future. Now I understand that I can trust God for my happiness no matter what circumstances come my way.
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11-14
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28
“No power in the sky above or in the earth below— indeed, nothing in all of creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39
“We cry, ‘Daddy! Father!’” Romans 8:15
“O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head”. Psalm 139:1-5
Just a side note here: I don’t want to leave the impression that God is only loving and never judges. God is a perfect balance of grace and truth, forgiveness and justice. Because of Jesus, we who believe are graciously and completely forgiven and welcomed into relationship with a holy God even tho we don’t deserve it. But there remains a burning judgment for those who refuse to listen to God and choose actions that destroy others and themselves.
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way … into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him.” Hebrews 10:19-22
“… the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.” Hebrews 19:27
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“It is time to judge the dead
and reward your servants the prophets,
as well as your holy people,
and all who fear your name,
from the least to the greatest.It is time to destroy
all who have caused destruction on the earth.” Revelation 11:18
When life doesn’t make sense, let’s run to the wisest, most loving, most powerful One. His arms are open wide.
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28