Turns in the Path of Life

The path of life has many turns - and one thing about turns is that we should always keep learning or we'll get lost and confused. Sometimes I learn things fast and other times, I learn incredibly slow - slow like the coffee pot on an early morning.

One thing I heard often as I was trying to come to grips with lifelong effects from injuries were the words of Romans 8:28, "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him ..."

Being slow to learn at times, plus being medicated for a few years post accident, caused me to be confused about this verse. This is what I used to think - God is good and God works in all things, so all things are good.

But I didn't feel good, I hurt! I had constant pain. I was tired all the time. My scared legs made me sad. I couldn't do what I used to do.

Because I was suffering - other suffering in the world lay heavy on me. (hint, don't share stories of suffering with someone that is suffering)

And I was to see all this as good?

No, it wasn't good and if God is 'good' like this, why should I love and/or follow him?

There were many steps and turns to a new understanding of that verse. Here’s one step in that process. I’m always open to learn more - hear me out, then share your thoughts.

One day, I heard a wise man say, "God does work all things for good, but that doesn't mean all things are good!" - Dr. Art Wilt

Physically, I had been saved by paramedics - now spiritually, I was saved by Dr. Art, my pastor who used to be a paramedic. I began to understand how backwards I had been looking at that verse.

Accidents/injuries/diseases/abuse/bad choices - none are good! But God is love and God is good and he has the power to make something good come from them. I can be real and honest about the disappointments and pain of life - I don’t need to pretend or force myself to think its good, when its not!

God is good and God is love - he doesn't cause all things to happen, but he can use something from all things for good. This thought made me want to seek him again and ask him what good can come from this nasty turn in my life.

I’ve learned a lot and have seen good come from it. I still wish I could have learned what I learned in another way, but I'm content to trust him to show me what good can continue to come from it.

Your thoughts?

Photo -Siesta Beach, FL 2007

Rambling Thoughts about the Unfairness of Life

The unfairness of life can be so crushing, at times. A gentleman from my church was in an accident a few days ago. He's stable, but still in ICU with two small brain bleeds, a broken neck (thankfully no spinal cord injury) and some broken ribs. I know this man's wife, two daughters and families well and my heart breaks for all of them. This family has been through too many 'tough things' - too many accidents, injuries, fires, heart attacks and other health issues.

At one time, I would have had some fairly mean and unbalanced thoughts about why God is 'doing' all this to them, but now I view it so differently because I don't think God causes harm to us. (John 10:10 and Matthew 7:9-11)

God is love and God is good!

I recently heard Jonas and Anne Beiler (Auntie Anne's Pretzels) speak ... they gave four reasons why bad things happen.

1. Choices we make
2. Consequences from choices
3. Accidents happen
4. Satan

My counselor says that while Old Testament scriptures show that God did cause tragedies in that time, things changed when Jesus came. Because of his victory over death, we now live in the time of grace where God's connection with humans doesn't include him 'hurting' us. Yes, he can use (redeem) any situation but that doesn't mean he needed it to mold you or I (or anyone) into a 'better' person.

My Pastor Art says, "We live in a Satan-dominated world and he's out to kill, lie, steal and destroy." I agree - God is not in charge here, Satan is. My other Pastor Vince taught on hell recently and for the first time, I realized Satan was not thrown into hell when he was thrown out of heaven. No, he was thrown to earth (Revelation 12:7-9) and he's here to harm.

Yes, God is all powerful and all knowing, but just because you have power doesn't mean you have to use it. At this time, I think God has chosen to give us and Satan free will and choice, so I don't think God causes the 'bad things' to happen.

This quote from The Shack says it best -
"Just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn't mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don't ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will see grace in many facets and colors." - William P. Young