Disappointed

I've been working on this post for awhile. I do that (drag my feet) when I'm trying to find socially acceptable ways of saying something unpopular. It's silly, really, because all I want to say is that I do not believe that everything happens for a reason.

Well, that's not true; I do believe that everything happens because of either God, Satan, the fallen nature of man, or the natural scientific order that God assigned to the universe. I suppose all of those forces could be considered reasons. But I do not believe that God's plan is the reason by which and through which all things happen (which is not to say that they happen without His care or knowledge).

When bad things happen to "good" people, or when one prays for something that does not come to pass, the seemingly faithful response is to continue trusting in God's plan and to believe that His ways are just so much higher. This is an admirable attitude. But is it always based on scripture?

John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

James 1:16 "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

I do not see any scriptural evidence that God's perfect will is micromanaging the world. If, for example, God desires that all men come to the knowledge of Himself, then even one person dying without the knowledge of His Son is clearly outside of His will. The fall (sin entering the world) was definitely not part of His perfect plan either. And I do believe that God has a perfect plan. Right now, the middle of that plan is being detoured and rerouted (because, in His omniscience, He chose to let man choose). The end of His plan will be precisely on target, but the part we play in that is left entirely up to us.

As I said starting out, I do not believe that everything happens for a God reason. I believe, rather, that God is sweeping up the unavoidable ashes caused by freewill, the fall, and the rules of natural law. And He (if we will let Him) is molding them into something fantastic. Something so beautiful, in fact, that we can only marvel at what God's version of perfect (pre Genesis 3) would have looked like.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

To ask God for His will to be made perfect in a negative situation is the very basis of my faith. To blame God for any negative situation is despicable. And consequently, to say, "Well, this tragedy/complication/whatever (unsettling thing life throws at us on a pretty consistent basis) must have been the will of God," is, to me, insulting, especially since we know it is Satan who comes to steal, kill and destroy.

Because sin is not a part of God's will, it would seem that anything resulting from sin is also outside of His will as well. However, what God salvages from our error is often what proves Romans 8:28 in our lives. And that is the stance He has so graciously allowed us to take during what could have been an irrevocably destructive time.

But in those first moments, not so long ago, as I stood shaking, examining and reexamining the unnecessarily vague circumstances that had become my life, I was disappointed in the direction my life was taking.

Job 3:25 "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me."

So much so, actually, that I flung myself on my bed and I begged God to change His mind. So, it blessed me to no end, and it strengthened the very fibers of my faith, to hear God whisper, "This was never mine."

We are in a battle, and when the enemy fires upon us we are to look to our Commander for direction. But, truthfully, that is not what most of us do. We want to "join the army of God!" But we do not want to be fired upon. And when the enemy does attack, instead of rallying behind our leader we look at Him with blame and anger as if He were suddenly on the other side.

I do not believe that God rescued us from this trial but rather preserved us in it. Satan used the failures of the past to attempt, yet again, to destroy my family. But what Satan intended for evil, God used to show His strength in our bonds. And even though we are praising God, as we praise Him in everything, for this favorable outcome (hard though it is), we are more than confident that, whatever the outcome, God would have worked it for His glory.

BECAUSE WE ARE HERE TO LET HIM.

So, and very boldly because of the strength I have in this moment, to the disappointed in Christ, I say this: Stop blaming the Creator and Master of the universe for things He is not even doing. Acknowledge your enemy and join forces with the One who will defeat Him.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; He has overcome the world!