When I was a kid growing up, I never questioned my parent’s decisions.
For instance, when I was six years old, I would have never thought to walk into my parent’s room and demand for them to tell me how they filled out their tax forms for the year and question the deductions they did or didn’t take. I would have never challenged my Dad on his choice of routes that he was going to drive on our annual vacation. I would have never demanded an explanation for decisions that he made at work. Because, as a six-year-old, I had my hands full with my own stuff.
My job was to play nice with my friends. To take a nap each day and to eat everything on my plate. My job was to pick up my toys when I was through playing with them. My job was to say “please and thank you” and to hold my parent’s hand when we crossed the street. Life was simple as long as I focused on my stuff…
So in the wake of the recent mudslides in Guatemala, the shootings in Oregon, the floods in the Carolinas, the craziness of Syria and Isis…I often hear people questioning the goodness of God. They wonder…why God would “allow” such events to take place…and in some cases, they demand an explanation!
The problem I have with such thinking is that by demanding an explanation…they are willfully distancing themselves from God…the very thing they NEED when struggling with such a question. By them failing to get an answer…they walk away…from Him and from the very thing they need the most during this time…unconditional love despite the ever-present storms of life.
The act of questioning and challenging God is not a new thing. It is a pattern of human behavior going back to the dawn of man. I read in the Bible about Job having it out with God and demanding answers for his tragedy. I think he is the only person that ever got an explanation from God and in reading God’s response…I learned not to question God…just go with it!
So what do we as humans do when the storms of tragedy fall down upon us and disrupt our lives, tear at our hearts and consume those we deem as innocent victims…what do we do?
We should do what may seem “unnatural” for many of us…we should run towards God. That is the best place to be. As the saying goes, the safest place in a hurricane is the center of the storm. Once there, feel free to share what is in YOUR heart. Share your fears, your pains, and your uncertainties… He shares all you feel. Then when you’re out of words…just reach up and grab his hand… and don’t let go. Trust me…you’ll be fine.
I know it may sound simple…but it worked when I was six.