Asking God Why?

When I was a kid, we had a dog chained up
in the backyard.

Now, like most dogs, he loved to chase after cars.  Since he was on a chain, he never got too close, but that didn't stop him from running back and forth after each car that drove past our house.  And trust me, we lived on a very busy road.

One day while I was in the backyard petting him, a flow of traffic zoomed by.  He ran off barking and his chain caught my leg, tripping me to my knees.  Another car roared by going the opposite way, and he followed suit.  Then another car zipped by going the other way.  Similar pattern.  In the process, the chain wrapped around my throat.  When the next car whizzed by, I began to be strangled.

So far, that is the scariest moment of my life.  My life literally passed before my eyes (as brief as it was) while I used my remaining breath to beg my little brother for help.  Assistance did arrive (otherwise I wouldn't be typing this post) but for a few minutes, I was sure that would be my dying day.

In 1 Kings 17:17-24, we see the dying day of the widow's son.  He grew sicker and sicker until he died.  When he did, both the widow and Elijah had questions for God.  They wanted to know why?

I believe that's our natural reaction to pain and tragedy.  We want to know why God allowed this pain into our lives.  We wonder if we're being punished or if somehow God is mad at us.  That's natural and human.  But it's not always correct.

Does God sometimes use pain and tragedy as punishment?  Sure he does.  Does he always use it?  Of course not.  Sometimes pain is the natural consequences of our actions.  (If you drive too fast you get a ticket.  If you smoke, you can develop lung cancer.)  Sometimes pain is the result of being tested.  (See Job.)  Sometimes Satan is the cause of our pain. 

When the pain comes, we want to know why.  I think God understands that.  He never rebukes the woman or Elijah in 1 Kings 17.  In fact, he heard and answered Elijah's prayer. 

God allows us to ask why.  That's one of the great things about God.  He wants us to explore our faith and to know more about him. 

Now, be careful not to accuse God.  That drifts into sinful territory.  But an honest question seeking an honest answer is not frowned upon by the Lord.  He welcomes the dialogue.  In fact, he want to speak with you right now.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Devotion to a false god

Image
Last week, at Disney World, I went to retrieve our stroller from the stroller parking section.  As I searched among the hundred or so strollers, I finally found mine and started to move it.  As I pulled, it snagged on a woman's garment.  Panicked, I looked up and saw it was a Muslim women in full Muslin dress.  Her body was completely covered.  Only a slit for her eyes was visible.  I was careful not to yank, and I tried to apologize as the hook of the handle caught part of her garment.  She didn't say a word and we both quietly went on our ways. As I walked away, I felt pity on her.  For one, it's Disney World in June in Florida.  I strode along in shorts and a very thin T-shirt.  Both were soaked in sweat.  I had already consumed two bottles of water and still felt weary.  She was dressed head to toe in heavy garments.  I can't imagine how hot she was pushing a stroller with two kids through a mass of people in hum...
Read more

Bearing Responsbility

Image
I remember when my daughter was first born. Amid the excitement and joy came an overwhelming feeling.  This baby, which I held in my hands, was now my responsibility.  When she got sick, needed feeding, required a diaper change, or had to be corrected and taught, those responsibilities fell to me as her father.  In a matter of a few minutes, I had been entrusted with a new life on planet earth. Looking back on that day six years ago, I was excited but scared.  Yet, that is nothing compared to the responsibility Joesph must have felt.  Joseph was a righteous man, according to scripture, and he knew one thing for certain - Jesus was not his biological son.  Thus, he planned to divorce Mary quietly and be rid of the whole matter. And before we vilify Joseph, know that he could have done much worse.  By law, Mary could have been stoned to death.  His divorce was a form of mercy.  She would live and he would be rid of the stigma of an unfait...
Read more

Following Jesus' Example

Jesus was not a convential man. Often, when Jesus taught, he challenged the status quo.  He also liked to use object lessons and parables to illustrate his points about faith and a relationship with God. One night after dinner, during the last week of his life before the resurrection, he finished eating, took off his outer garment, grabbed a towel and started to wash the disciples' feet. Stunned, Peter protested, but Jesus said it had to be done.  He had to allow Jesus, his rabbi, his teacher, his Lord, to become a servant and wash Peter's dirty, worn feet.  So he did.  Jesus washed all their feet that night.  Then he said:  You need to do this too. Too often in Christianity today, there is an attitude of moral superiority.  We love to build beautiful church buildings, boast of our attendance, brag about our programs and talk about the money we give.  At the same time, we turn our nose up to the alcoholics and drug addicts and homeless and...
Read more