Sunday, April 10, 2011

Answers Aren't Always There

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." -- John 9:3

Some things seem impossible to understand. We want to rationalize and make excuses. We need a reason to hold on to, a way we can explain to ourselves and others, as we face something that seems so senseless and unfair.

No matter how many times we say we understand that sometimes awful things happen to God's people, we somehow think nothing bad will ever happen to us. We expect ourselves and our loved ones to live long, healthy lives. We can deal with illness in the elderly people we love. It's a lot harder in someone young.

In accidents or drug overdoses and other such things, we comfort ourselves by blaming others. It's easier to get angry at another driver or a drug dealer or a pool without a padlock. But in illness it seems the only person to blame is, well, God. How does He decide who gets cancer and who doesn't? Why does He choose one person instead of another?

If you're expecting an answer or a bit of wisdom here, you won't find either. I don't know. I know we live in a fallen world where Satan and his followers roam and play havoc on the lives of believers. I know that God uses all things to glorify Himself. I know that tragedy can draw us closer to God and break even the hardest hearts. And I know that He never leaves us to face illness or tragedy alone. Those things we think we can't survive are survivable with His strength and His grace.

Experience teaches in ways words never can. It refines our faith, weeding out that which is temporary and strengthing that which is permanent. We learn exactly what lies within us, deep in our souls where Jesus lives. We draw from that place. Or we allow Satan to win the day. Simple? Not really. Difficult? Absolutely.

A while back I heard Mark Hall explaining the inspiration behind the song, Praise You In This Storm. It was a mother, literally standing on a Bible, as her child lay dying. Strength in an unimaginable storm. Faith rooted so deeply that nothing and no one can pull it loose from the sacred ground it clings to.

I don't know why wonderful, Christian people face devastating illnesses. But I know the only way to get through it is to cling to the One who will carry us through the storm.