WHY, Part 2

In the aftermath of the Boston bombing....

I recognize that there are no pat answers for the WHY? of human suffering.  Yet, here is a different approach than the one mentioned yesterday.

W -  Wrestle with the issue, don't wallow in it.  Turn to scripture; ask questions; the Psalmist did.  "Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance." (Psalm 42:5)

H - Hope in God; don't be hopeless.  "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jer. 29:11)  Some translations say, "...to give you a hope and a future." 

Y - Yield to Christ..  Don't turn to yourself for the answers.  Think of his promised end - the Holy City the new Jerusalem.   "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Rev. 21:4)

Joni Earekson Tada, Bethany Hamilton, and Robert Rogers are examples of people who have taken their extreme suffering and turned to God within it.  Robert Rogers is speaking next week, April 24th, in Drexel Hill, PA.

WHY

In the aftermath of yet another horrific tragedy, we fly the American flag at half mast.  And we ask... why?  Why the senseless killing, maming, carnage?  Whether it comes at the hand of a deliberate killer, a tragic accident or an act of nature, it's an old, old question that never gets answered - the question of human suffering.

I don't think the "why" question has answers this side of eternity, but we do have a choice in how we respond to seemingly senseless suffering.  There is a foolish, human way and there is a wise, godly way.

Today, I will suggest the way of the fool....

W.H.Y.? 

W -- Wallow in it. Think about the specific tragedy often, focusing on loss, futility and depressing details.
H  --  Hopelessness.  Remind yourself that nothing will ever change.  Life's a bitch and then you die.
Y  --  trust Yourself and your response. Allow cynicism to take hold.

Stay tuned for the way of the wise, tomorrow.

Active Rest

Life has a way of waxing and waning.  There are periods of time which prove to be most difficult, almost impossible to get through.  Then, there are segments where things are bearable, and then even seasons that prove to be enjoyable.  During the easier seasons, one can be tempted to settle back, relax and coast along.

I joined an adult "Masters" swimming workout some years back.  Having been a regular swimmer prior to this, I quickly found that what I once did as an entire workout, was what the Masters did just to warm up.  Their workouts lasted one hour, fifteen minutes.  They would do "sets" of swimming, with short rests in between.  Sometimes the rest would be a few seconds, while clinging to the pool's edge.  Other times, we would have an "active rest," where we would continue swimming, but very slowly and in a relaxed manner. 

During the easier seasons of life, perhaps it is best to take an "active rest."  We can use the emotional and physical break to continue in communion with God, reading His Word, praying, seeking Christian fellowship. That way, when the hard times hit, which they inevitably will, we will be stronger and more prepared to endure.

If you are in an easier season right now, I encourage you to take an "active rest."

How to Draw Near

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Purify your hands, you sinners; sanctify your hearts, doubting souls." (James 4:8) Aramaic Bible in English

Tips for Drawing Near to God
1.  Soak in the scriptures (read or listen)
2.  Recognize the hand of God in daily life. (Pray to recognize God's hand and voice in your life.)
3.  Play your instrument; sing; do both.
4.  Talk about truth.
5. Laugh often; be thankful.
6. Think of the eternal value of your actions and the pleasure that will be yours eternally.
7.  Read great books and biographies. (Pilgrim's Progress, George Mueller, Padre Pio)

Prayer and Kindness

Three days after the Newtown, Connecticut massacre, we pray for those entering a lifetime of grief.
We care for them by small acts of kindness.  A smile, a kind word, a gift -- small gestures that can be a momentary balm for the fire of their pain.

Put on kindness

A  lady passed out small jars of Burt's Bees moisturizer.  She likened rubbing this waxy substance into her hands as a parallel for putting on kindness.  Being kind requires work and continual attention, especially when those around us seem hardened and unreceptive.

But it is His kindness that leads us to repentence.  So, in turn, His kindness within us can be sent out to our "neighbor." 

Fine Wine

My husband compares graceful aging to that of a fine wine, that mellows and becomes beautifully resonant with age.  So it is, as I look at pictures of my husband and me together at our daughter's wedding.  The essence of a "fine wine" seems apparent as I see us, married for 26 years, still together at a most poignant moment in time.

Sometimes it's easy to stay together, sometimes it's not.  But the results can be that of tasting a fine wine.  These results can't be bought, or forced.  They only come with years of faithfully pursuing God and each other.