No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. –1 Corinthians 2:9
The phone call came late at night, so I knew something was wrong even as I said “hello.” On the other end a friend delivered the news that a dear friend had died. I sat, shocked. Saddened by the news, I was confused by why the Lord would take home one of His servants at such a young age.
I know I am not the only one to have an experience where I simply want to ask God, “Why?” We hear or see stories, read of natural disasters, accidents, kidnappings and murders most days, but when something terrible happens to someone I know my head wants answers. I want to know why.
Then I am gently reminded that in our walk with Jesus, it is not about explaining the mysteries of this life, it is about resting in the truth. The truth is this: we have a God who loves us so much he sent His Son to die for us. We live in a world that is plagued with problems and struggles from which none of us are immune nor can we completely explain. In those hard times, we can cry out to our heavenly Father for comfort. He is with us, walking with us, carrying us through all of life’s struggles.
So we have a choice. Do we dwell on struggling to find the answers to the Why? or do we look to our Maker and place our trust in Him? We cannot understand what God has prepared for us in this life or for eternity. Until then, He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us and to be the great Comforter. So when we cry out Why?, He alone can quiet our souls. In Him we can find comfort, peace and rest, even when we can’t find explanations.
The Lord does not want us to get caught up in trying to explain the mystery, but to focus on Him. We are called to look towards Him and know that He is with us and we cannot even imagine His purposes or His plan. Trusting in God does not mean we abandon our emotions and feelings; focusing on Him, reminds us that He is with us and we will never go through our struggles alone.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Think about a time you have received some bad news. How did you handle the battle of the head and the heart–the desire to know why versus trusting in God?
2. What is a truth God has shown you in your life to help you manage some of the mystery?
FURTHER READING:
Matthew 13:10-14; John 8:31-37; Ephesians 3:1-13