July 24, 2013

• Knowing Why

  We sure like to know WHY, don’t we? From the time we start talking, we ask that question. When my children were young, there were times when I would get downright exasperated because they were constantly asking WHY? WHY? WHY? Of course, that is not wrong. That is how we learn. I guess it was the repetition that got to me! How many times must you say the same thing?

  I do think there are times when no matter how many times we ask WHY, we are not going to get an answer. No one knows everything — but God, and He is not obligated to tell us. Most times, we probably wouldn’t understand anyway. Or, we might try to argue with Him. Oh, we can be so “full of ourselves” and so disrespectful to God!

  I know I really struggle at times, because I want a REASON for why this or that happened. I would like to know WHY, even though we prayed, someone did not get healed. WHY, even when we did everything we knew how to do, a situation did not end well. There is just this striving within to want answers, y’know? We like sure things. We like formulas. We like everything to add up in a predictable way. Yeah... well, life isn’t like that, is it?

  We must learn that we cannot always be in control. We must learn to trust God. We know that God holds our future, and He is totally trustworthy. We say it, but we don’t always act like we believe it. We would like some input into the situation! Are we so arrogant that we think God owes us an explanation? Do we think God needs our help running the universe?

  Perhaps we should read through the book of Job. Perhaps we need to stop and consider who this great God is. Do we puny, ignorant humans really think we could begin to comprehend all God’s ways? Do we think we have any power at all to compare to Him?

  Yet God, in His great power and authority is merciful. He loves His children. Even though we may not understand, we can trust in WHO   GOD  IS. He is just. He is love. He is full of compassion. If we really NEEDED to know why, God would tell us!

  I remember a story about Corrie Ten Boom. Her father was a watchmaker, and he would often take his tools and travel to other towns to work on tower clocks. One day young Corrie was walking with him to the train, and she asked him a very hard question. He stopped, looked at her a moment, and then said, “Corrie, will you carry my case?” She responded, “Oh yes, Pappa! I would love to do that!” She tried and tried to pick it up and walk with it, but the tools inside made it very heavy. She just could not carry it. She looked up and said, “I am sorry, Pappa, it is just too much for me. I am not strong enough to carry this.” With gentle wisdom, her father said to her, “Corrie, the answer to the question you ask me is a bit like that. Right now, it is just too heavy for you to carry. You will have to trust me about it. Can you do that, Corrie?

  This story helped me to understand that God, in His great mercy, love and wisdom, has chosen to carry the things which are too heavy for you and for me.

  Can we put aside our WHYS and trust Him?

  • 6:16 am
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