The world isn't what it used to be. We live in a society where darkness has become the norm. Where anger is the first response in place of kindness. Where school shootings happen weekly. Where divorce is used as a way out for something we don't want to work on anymore. Where our children know more about social media than they ever should and bullying is no longer just taking someones lunch money.
When everyday life is full of sunshine and rainbows we don't think twice about anything and carry on daily without a question in mind. However, when something bad happens, we immediately want answers as to why our life has been disrupted and we need to know the "why". Believers and non believers alike throw that question up to God like tossing a ball in a basket. We demand answers and when we don't like the response or fail to get an answer we tend to place the blame on God shoulders, as if he is the cause of our pain and suffering.
I know I am guilty of this. Just this weekend I found myself in a anxiety ridden state, begging God for answers. I wanted to know what I did to deserve my tears, where I went wrong and why he was letting it happen. I spent the good part of a nice weekend crying and unwilling to get past my anger. And today, only after a dynamic message at church did I stop and realize it WAS NOT GOD. He didn't rain on my parade.
God is not in the business of breaking hearts and tearing up the wonderful world he created. He shares in our suffering. He holds our tears. A long time ago, two people sinned. Their sins set the world on a path of destruction as we were given free will to make bad choices. Some of those bad choices hurt innocent people. I know first hand what its like to be hurt and have nothing to do with it. I didn't ask for my life to be changed so dramatically. I didn't ask for the ongoing battle I face daily. But I can't blame God. Sure I want answers. Don't we all. Who doesn't want to know why they have lost a loved one or why their spouse doesn't want to work at their marriage anymore. Or why people hold the value of life with no regard.
We need to look for those answers in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. God's goal is to redeem a broken society, to redeem all of creation. That's the perfect plan. We all have a moral compass. That free will I mentioned earlier? We know right from wrong. We know what/who we should be surrounding ourselves with. I read earlier this week a devotion on yearning. It is so easy to get wrapped up in what might have been when things aren't too rosy in your own garden. I am a frequent day dreamer. What we do with our choices is on us and not on God. We are the navigators of our own moral compass.
So how do we fix this? I know for me I have to give God credit for all the good things in my life. For the rain and the sun. For waking up each morning. For my precious son. For my friends and my family (I still talk to my mom daily). For my church. But most importantly because he sent his son to die for all of us and we have eternal, peaceful life through him. I need to practice kindness, especially to those who aren't necessarily kind to me. I need to teach my son the same things. Kindness breeds kindness. Smile at someone you don't know. BE THE LIGHT in this dark world.
Shine for JESUS!
