The past year has been a difficult one. We’ve left behind jobs, friends, spiritual community without a deep sense of clarity from God as to “why?” Although it’s a fun spiritual exercise to fancy ourselves modern-day Abrahams, after the initial excitement wears off, I’ve struggled with wondering if this God we’re following is as trustworthy as I thought Him to be.
I came across a blog posting today from a woman who recently lost her son in a tragic accident. It was titled “Is God Good?” – a question I’ve lately been tossing around in my head. Intellectually, I know Him to be good, but so many things in this season of life haven’t worked out as I’d like, leaving me with a ton of disappointment and nothing to hang it on, except a vague feeling that God has somehow left me holding the short end of the stick. When I came across this woman’s words, I wept. Partly because they gave me much-needed perspective on the scope of my struggles; but more so because they infused my heart with a reality much deeper than the one in which I’ve been wallowing. She writes:
“…Even in tragedy, God is amazing. He is faithful. He is good. Because His character is not dependent on my circumstances. He has done many wonderful things in my life, but His character is not revealed through my wealth nor through my safety nor through my comfort.
His character is revealed through the cross.
And as I think of my son crushed, his skull broken, his form lifeless, I can think of only one thing.
Our Father did it willingly. For me. For you. For the world He loved so much He gave His only begotten son.”
And while all the pain, and wondering, and disappointment of this time is not erased, it is eased. And that’s something.
