I have been thinking about Hurricane Helene which struck the East Coast a couple of weeks ago and wreaked so much destruction in many states, and Milton bearing down on Florida today. Hearing and seeing the stories of all the loss is so heartbreaking it makes me think about a question that often accompanies disaster and loss. WHY?
We all have at one time listened to the radio or watched the TV and seen and heard of terrible tragedies and great sorrow. Over and over we hear those left asking the question, “WHY?”
Why did this happen?
Why this way?
Why Now?
Why did God allow it?
There are times in our lives, some not as tragic or maybe more tragic, in which we ask this same question. WHY?
Part of the ache in times of our distress and trials that rises out of the deepest part of our souls, there is a part of us that innately knows that something is wrong with the world and that we can’t set it right. Sometimes we ask the question the psalmist so often asks, “How long, O Lord?” This is a question that shows up again and again in Scripture. The questions we have sometimes echo that of the psalmist.
How long, O Lord, will things keep happening?
How long, O Lord, will we have to gather to mourn and
weep over the death of our loved ones?
How Long?
Why God?
While we are asking WHY?, and HOW LONG? We so often fail to realize that God is also crying out, HOW LONG? and WHY?
How long till you realize that I love you?
How long till you realize that I gave My Son’s life for you?
Why don’t you allow me to love you and heal you?
Why don’t you stop trying to do it yourself and allow me
to help you?
How long?
Why?
1 John 4:10
This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 5:4-5
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
1 John 5:20
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true.
It is only when we say:
God, I know you love me!
God, I believe Your Son gave His life for me!
God, I am going to accept Your love and allow You to heal me!
God, I need you and don't want to do it by myself!
God, give me understanding, and help me to overcome!
that we can truly overcome any obstacle including grief, sorrow, guilt, uncertainty, and fear.
How long are you going to question the "WHY?" of God before you cry out, "God, I need you. God, I know you love me. God, I want you."?
Sean Gardiner