deathQuestioning God's presence, "Are you there? This seems so bleak now, I can't feel you - are you there, God?" isn't wrong. It's human.
This just kind of hit me - when we look at a bad situation and conclude that God must not be around, that reflects something of what we know of God. Inherently, we know God is good, and God is powerful - otherwise, we wouldn't have this reaction. If God weren't good, he would have no motivation to change it. If he weren't powerful, he wouldn't be able to change it.
The analogy that crossed my mind was two of the percussionists in our pep band. They're both talented musicians, but part of every gig is supposed to be transporting and setting up the set. Andy's terrible about this - he shows up a minute before the gig starts, and plays fantastically, and disappears as soon as it's done. Dave's known for being responsible and helpful, and not only taking care of the set, but arriving early enough to do other setup, and sticks around afterwards for additional takedown.
There was an occasion where Dave was called out of town suddenly, and didn't have a chance to let anyone know. When other people started arriving, and the set was still sitting in the band room, no one said, "Hey, where's Andy?" Nobody expects anything of Andy, we all know he can't be counted on. But everyone wanted to know where Dave was, what was going on, was he okay, etc. - in short, what possible reason was there for him not doing what we all knew he always did.
We get upset not because God isn't there, but because he always has been. We're not mad at God for being a sadist, we're confused because he's always been good to us, often to the point where we just expected it. We wouldn't accuse God if we didn't think he was capable - we throw this in his face because we know he can do it. I'm not saying God is absent in this situation - I still don't have all the answers.
One of my friends is dying, and she declares that God doesn't exist, because if he did, she wouldn't be going through this.
Edit: Someone just pointed me to one of the more recent Boundless articles. I shall borrow a paragraph.
"What kind of God could allow anyone to go through the horrors of Iraq — the corruption, treachery, hatred, violence and death? A Christian response recognizes humanity's ultimate culpability (God doesn't force mankind's violent hand), but also points to a God who submitted Himself to all that suffering and more. Jesus Christ the Son of God endured despising and shame, betrayal and unjust execution so that we might have life. He bore the sins of the world, took our penalty, and died. He rose to conquer decay, and He lives to set the world to rights and to set all fears to rest forever. We hope in this God, in Jesus Christ, the God who reveals Himself as present and active in our fallen world."
This just kind of hit me - when we look at a bad situation and conclude that God must not be around, that reflects something of what we know of God. Inherently, we know God is good, and God is powerful - otherwise, we wouldn't have this reaction. If God weren't good, he would have no motivation to change it. If he weren't powerful, he wouldn't be able to change it.
The analogy that crossed my mind was two of the percussionists in our pep band. They're both talented musicians, but part of every gig is supposed to be transporting and setting up the set. Andy's terrible about this - he shows up a minute before the gig starts, and plays fantastically, and disappears as soon as it's done. Dave's known for being responsible and helpful, and not only taking care of the set, but arriving early enough to do other setup, and sticks around afterwards for additional takedown.
There was an occasion where Dave was called out of town suddenly, and didn't have a chance to let anyone know. When other people started arriving, and the set was still sitting in the band room, no one said, "Hey, where's Andy?" Nobody expects anything of Andy, we all know he can't be counted on. But everyone wanted to know where Dave was, what was going on, was he okay, etc. - in short, what possible reason was there for him not doing what we all knew he always did.
We get upset not because God isn't there, but because he always has been. We're not mad at God for being a sadist, we're confused because he's always been good to us, often to the point where we just expected it. We wouldn't accuse God if we didn't think he was capable - we throw this in his face because we know he can do it. I'm not saying God is absent in this situation - I still don't have all the answers.
One of my friends is dying, and she declares that God doesn't exist, because if he did, she wouldn't be going through this.
Edit: Someone just pointed me to one of the more recent Boundless articles. I shall borrow a paragraph.
"What kind of God could allow anyone to go through the horrors of Iraq — the corruption, treachery, hatred, violence and death? A Christian response recognizes humanity's ultimate culpability (God doesn't force mankind's violent hand), but also points to a God who submitted Himself to all that suffering and more. Jesus Christ the Son of God endured despising and shame, betrayal and unjust execution so that we might have life. He bore the sins of the world, took our penalty, and died. He rose to conquer decay, and He lives to set the world to rights and to set all fears to rest forever. We hope in this God, in Jesus Christ, the God who reveals Himself as present and active in our fallen world."
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Re: hehe - We haven't started at all, we are always late in the game.
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