For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Elisabeth Woltman
Thank you Michael for such a comprehensive and inspiring explanation.
I absolutely agree that although God is fully aware of what we are going through, in many cases He does not interfere.
I used to, like many Christians, blame God for the things that happened in my life and then I stopped and asked myself the very important question "What has been the cause?"
I confess that by searching for the cause, on many occasions beings, I was the one, it was will, it was my disobedience and impatience. That hurt, we are very fond to admitting to our own wrongs. That admission not only humbled me but also lead to my eyes opening really wide to God's great love and mercy as He carried me through the most difficult times, correcting my character and changing me then, the same way He keeps on changing me now.
I have learnt to trust and rely on God totally and completely.
Shirley H
I think the most tragic event that has or ever will happen is that Jesus Christ needed to go to the cross on Calvary. And yet, the potential salvation of human life is beyond all imagination.
Danny Hickman
Mr Houdmann says we can find meaning in suffering. But can we?
A young man goes in a school and kills 20 first graders and six teachers. If there is a coherent meaning for it, can the families of the victims find it?
Maybe they CAN, but how many WILL? The way Mr Houdmann states it, rather 'matter of fact'-ish, it shouldn't be that difficult for a seasoned Christian. I think that sentiment is a very oversimplification of such a horrible tragedy. The average person, Christian or otherwise, isn't capable of "finding meaning" in their six-year-old being gunned down at school. Let's be real!
People often look to the Church for answers that don't exist! The number one question that isn't answered in scripture is 'WHY.'
"Why doesn't God put a stop to this? Better yet, why didn't he prevent us from ever falling into sin in the first place?" WHY?
There's no scriptural answer to 'why' God does what he does, and doesn't do what he doesn't. We're told who he is, and we're to gain an understanding of our circumstances based on that. So who is he?
God is love (1 Jn 4:8). He is light (Jn 9:5). He is our Father (Eph 1:2, Phil 1:2, 1 Cor 1:3, 2 Cor 1:2, 2 Thess 1:2, Philemon 1:3).
We have a winner! Paul states that God is our Father so many times for a good reason. He doesn't want us to forget that.
I had a great dad! But he wouldn't sacrifice one of my 2 brothers to preserve my life. He loved me, but not enough to do that. Why? Because he loved all 3 of us!
God only had 1 Son!
Danny Hickman
Continuing,
God had only one Son and he sent him into the world to die for the sins of the world, that whoever believed in him would not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). And here's the question: WHY? 'For God loved the world so much..."
This is the only 'WHY' on which we should focus.
Is there meaning in tragedy? Not about the tragedy, NO! If we focus on the tragedy, we lose focus on the aftermath. (did you catch that?)
There's an aftermath to every tragedy. The way we say it is, 'Life goes on.'
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is our reason for living. If that which we lose during a tragic episode was our reason for living, our lives would end when the loss occurs. It doesn't.
As insensitive as it sounds, and it is an insensitive thing to say if it's said at the wrong time, but anything we lose, even if it's a loved one such as a child, that we are not willing to accept losing, has become somewhat of an idol for us...
I don't understand God.
But the thing I don't understand THE MOST is how he could swap Jesus' life for mine! Why would he let Jesus, the Light of the world, the Bright and Morning Star, the Rose of Sharon, the Truth, the Bread of Life, the Lily of the Valley, the Good Shepherd, his only begotten Son, why would he let him die the way he did, for me?
I can answer that, but I still don't understand it: he loves me just that much, and he wants me to know it!! I believe it, BUT I STILL DON'T KNOW WHY! I ain't worth it!!
Shirley H
Dan, God considers you worth it. Our God is AWESOME! Look at Luke 22:22.
Go to Acts 2:23: "Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands and crucified..."
1 Peter 1:20: "He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world." Read Romans 3:25,26. The Propitiation.
Genesis 1:1, in the beginning God... Remember that this is after the meeting of the Holy trinity, in the knowledge that man, all men, would sin and need a Savior.
John 1:1, The Word, Jesus, spoke into existence God's world. God who is all good and gracious wanted a huge family.
2 Corinthians 5:14 - 18, God who is RIGHTEOUS, made a path for the unrighteous by the plan conceived before the world's creation, the fall in Genesis 3.
No one deserves anything from God. It is all a gift to be received or rejected.
So simple.... yet so complex. The LOVE OF GOD!!! The love of Jesus, and the love of the Holy Spirit!!! "AMAZING GRACE."
READ the book of 2 Peter. WE HAVE "Victory in Jesus," Our Savior forever, because of "The Old Rugged Cross."