A Note of Encouragement

from Ciloa

   

  

 

The light of dawn behind dark mountains
What lies in the blank?

Volume XVI, Issue 19 

May 9, 2016 
The question begins like this: Why does God allow ______________________?
 
What lies in the blank varies greatly---from the consequences of human interaction to causes over which we have no control.
 
When referring to people, key words appear...bad, wrong, mean, evil, wicked. But they are defined differently depending on the person and circumstances, even among those who follow God.

Silhouette of a man on a fence
Do you always tell the truth, pay your debts, treat others with respect, forgive, encourage, love? No? But God says you must. Does that make you bad, wrong, mean, evil, wicked?
 
What lies in the blank is not so much about seeking to understand God, as daring to judge Him---uncaring, aloof, cruel.
 
We often judge out of emotion and personal desire. Rather than looking to God, we declare someone bad, wrong, mean, evil, wicked because we are angry and want life as WE want it to be.
 
It doesn't matter that Jesus warned us. Each day has enough trouble of its own1...in this world you will have trouble2...the world will hate you because you follow Me3... 

We forget Peter's charge that we are aliens and strangers in the world4. This is not our home! A place has been prepared for us5, where there will be no death, sorrow, crying or pain6.
 
Young girl with judgement in her eyes
Then we look into the eyes of Jesus and cry out, "I don't care. I will not wait. I want that life now!" With unbridled arrogance, we demand from the giver the gift He is not required to give.
 
Maybe we're just misunderstood. Usually we are compassionate. We don't want others to suffer or be hurt. We denounce hatred, jealousy, rage and all the things Paul said of a sinful heart7. All we want is Heaven on Earth...right now! But God never promised that, nor will He, for...
 
In deepest pain, we feel God's comforting hand.
To deafening cries, we hear His guiding voice.
Through blinding sorrow, we see His loving heart.
Beyond the stillness of death, we will walk with Him forever.
 
If God always shielded you from pain, sorrow and death...anything that could make you cry out...what need would you have of Him? And if you do not need Him, why would He bother to love you?
 
Be encouraged. God does love you. But He will not remove the bad, wrong, mean, evil, wicked in this world. Relationships are forged in the trials of life, and He will use them to strengthen your relationship with Him and those who follow Him.
 
This brief life is a difficult journey. Take heart. He has prepared a better place for you.
 
Stars in a dark sky, aurora australis on the ocean's distant horizon

What lies in the blank...for you?
Take care & be God's,
 
Chuck


1  Matthew 6:34
2  John 16:33
3  See John 15:18-21
4  See 1 Peter 2:11-12
5  See John 14:2
6  See Revelation 21:4
7  See Galatians 5:20-21
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