Sometimes, life can be so difficult. There are so many unanswered questions. So much of life does not make sense.
Why do bad things happen to good people?Why do bombings happen? What are young girls sold into human trafficking? Why is there hunger and disease? Why do so many innocent people have to die in natural disasters? Why do so many of our Christian kids turn away from God; kids that we have prayed for, discipled and given our lives to? Why do family members get cancer? Why are kids killed in automobile accidents? Why, why, why? Where is God in all of this?
I know that Jesus said "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." This verse brings me comfort, and I trust the Lord with all of my heart, but it is also hard when I learn of yet another young Christian taking their own life and how much the family left behind is hurting.
It is these questions that trouble my heart and make me ask "God why?"
I have been reading "Sir Knight of the Splendid Way" to my son Jack this past month. It is a fantastic allegory about the Christian life similar to "Pilgrim's Progress." At the end of the book, the knight completes his journey to the City of the Great King and meets Jesus. He recognized Him from the path to Heaven, where He helped the knight through many tough situations and was always there for him throughout his journey, but it was not until the veil was removed and he could see Jesus for who He really was- the Vision of the Face that he saw on the night his quest began.
This Vision always brought him comfort during the storms that came to him on his quest. It was this vision, the face of Jesus, that kept him going. He knew then that here was his Savior that he had been serving with all of his heart. Here was his King! He realized that he was never alone during his entire journey. Everything then made sense.
I think that will be the way Heaven will be for us.
"For we know in part and we prophecy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection, as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1Corinthians 13:9-12.
After I read the chapter, I read this verse to Jack. It speaks of the fact that we do not have the same knowledge of God or understanding of His ways that we will have in Heaven. In the first century when this verse was written the mirrors were very different from what they are today; they were very dim and dark. We have a dim understanding of God on this earth and cannot fully understand everything.
I love what Matthew Henry says, "It is the light only that will remove all clouds and darkness from the face of God. It is at best but twilight while we are in this world; there it will be perfect and eternal day." and "Things are dark and confused now, in comparison of what they will be in the hereafter."
When we get to Heaven, the veil will be lifted and we will see things for how they really are.
Until then, we trust God and His goodness, care and love for us.
Beloved, I do not know what burdens you are carrying or what hurts you have in your heart. I do know that when we look at the end of these verses we see something that I believe brings comfort.
"Now I know in part, then I shall know fully even as I am fully known. " 1 Corinthians 13:12
We can take comfort in knowing that we are fully known by God and fully loved. It may feel like He is nowhere to be found but He is right there with you- fully knowing and fully loving you.
Press into God and trust Him with the questions of this life. Someday, we will see our Jesus and all will be clear. Until then, may we walk by faith and trust Jesus,who himself was "A man of sorrows aquainted with grief." Isaiah 53:3. He knows all about pain and suffering and rejection and will help you through each difficulty that this life brings.
Sweet Deb Weakly