Can I share with you the most burning question I have for the Lord? Can I share with you the question that I, as a Pastor, have been asked over and over again, through the faces of anger, confusion, hurt, despair, and loss? Can I share with you the question that has more than likely plagued the mind of every follower of Christ and has surely plagued the mind of every person lost in darkness?
The question is short, it’s relatable, and it’s simple:
“Why?”
As a human being in this world, there is adversity that I have faced, people that I have lost, and terrible things that I have seen and heard, and I desperately want to know why. I want to make sense of the mess, know the purpose behind the suffering, and know why things are the way they are. So, I ask, “Why, Lord?” So, we ask, “Why, Lord?” Why do the things that happen in this life happen? Why do we lose people we love, much too young? Why does evil have so much hold over this world? Why is there so much darkness, despite Jesus’ promise to be the light of the world?
We desire order, understanding, and explanations, so we question:
Why me?
Why is this happening?
Why would someone do that?
Why did He have to take that person?
Why doesn’t God change this?
Why do I have to feel like this?
Why, why, why…
Have you asked the question? Maybe you are there today brothers and sisters, and if you are, know that you are not alone. In this season of life’s circumstances, I too have often found myself asking this question of the Lord. Can I share with you some of the true answers that I have received?
Because the world is broken.
Because each one of us is sinful by nature as a result of the fall.
Because our bodies are not what they were meant to be.
Because satan is at work.
Because broken people break things.
Because I am broken.
Because, because, because…
These are all true answers, and these give reason for the things that cause us to shout, “WHY?” But, when we let these be our only answers to the hardships, pain, and suffering we face in this world, we only see a portion of the truth. We see the portion that acknowledges the reason for the brokenness, but not the portion that gives a hopeful answer to the “why” question.
Let’s ponder the other half of the truth. Let’s look at the other answers; the hopeful and resolving answers to the “why” question for a moment:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
-Isaiah 55:8-9
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
-Romans 8:28
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
-John 16:33
Here we see not just the answer to the “why” that stems from brokenness and sin, but we see some answers to the “why” that give us hope and the promise that something greater than what we see before us, through our tear-filled eyes, is being worked out for our good by our Heavenly Father. Take heart knowing that His plan is better than yours, that His intentions are more loving and good than what you could even dream for yourself, and His love went to the cross to suffer in your place, meaning whatever suffering we face on this earth, no matter how devastating, or painful, or profound, He walks with us through it, holds us in it, and has overcome it. Be patient brothers and sisters, He is bringing you to a time of promised perfection, with no more weeping, or sadness, or death.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”
-Revelation 21:4-5
It’s on its way, even now, even when we don’t feel or see it, it’s coming. Answers are coming. He is coming.
To be honest with you, I still don’t have a more detailed and specific answer than those listed above, and sometimes that is really hard for me, and I think it probably is for you too. But I keep asking, keep wrestling, and keep praying, because I do know this: asking, wrestling, and praying in the Lord, will always lead you to one answer that never changes: JESUS. He will always be there, with His love and compassion for you child, to respond, to comfort, and to be in communion with you. He can handle your anger, your yelling, your doubts, and your questions. He wants to hear from you. So, keep asking, keep wrestling, and keep praying, knowing those things will lead you to deeper intimacy with the one who has all the answers; to the one who will one day lay out His perfect master plan before our eyes. And when we see it, all our anger, our doubts, and disappointment will have been replaced with reverence and awe. And in the face of that master plan, when we finally receive the long-awaited answer to the “why,” with perfect understanding, we will not shout in anger, nor will we cry tears of disappointment, but instead, we will be filled with joy and overwhelming peace, and respond in worship to our good and gracious King who has surely worked all things for our good.
Pastor Laura Dilley
