ANSWERLESS-QUESTIONS and WHAT-IFS
Why do we
torture ourselves with AQ’s and WI’s (answerless questions and what-ifs)?! And, then there are also PA’s (pat-answers –
[why do they call them “pat” answers?]) that are applied, as some sort of “dollar
store salves” on some egregious “cancer”, hoping to find relief from the pain!
Life, in
this messed-up world, is far from perfect?!
Sand has been kicked into the gears and His precision machine lurches
and grinds along, for now. When there is
a bump, or a thud, or even a Wheel that comes off, we ask, even implore, “WHY?!” We want answers. Life needs to make sense. We find ourselves off-balance, stumbling
around, in the dark. “… why did she
leave me …?” “…shy did my baby have to
die …?!” “… I thought that I would
retire from that job; why did my job go away …?” on and on …
Next (or,
maybe first for tender hearts) we begin to wonder what we did wrong! “… was there some sin? … that is why I am being punished?!” “ … if only I had (done something else) …?!” “… if I had gone straight rather than turning
…?!” “… if only I had prayed more, more
seriously, more often …” what if … what
if …
God above
must have a tear tracing down his cheek.
To the patriarch, Job, came “friends” whom the Lord eventually muted
with the accusing “…“Who is this that darkens
counsel by words without
knowledge?” (Job 38:2) People mean well, I guess; but, an open ear and shut mouth are often the
best medicine for what ails another. “…
God has a plan …” “… time heals all …” -- Agh!
The Snake comes to kill, still, and destroy! The Lamb of God came to give us life! Abundant life! There are hard theological questions, maybe
some with no answers, at least not easy answers.
Ironically, as I sit here writing this, little Hannah mumbles, “… why did the baby have to die?” I do not know. She is knee deep in an I-Pad game, but her five year old heart asks a fathomless question. Now she is giggling as she watches her brother play another video game. “… we will get through this …” (with Heaven’s help)
Ironically, as I sit here writing this, little Hannah mumbles, “… why did the baby have to die?” I do not know. She is knee deep in an I-Pad game, but her five year old heart asks a fathomless question. Now she is giggling as she watches her brother play another video game. “… we will get through this …” (with Heaven’s help)
“God help us.”
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