By Erin Elizabeth Austin
Let’s be honest for a minute. With the tragedies of the week which took place at the Boston Marathon and the fertilizer factory explosion in West, Texas, many people asked the question, "Where is God?” Struck with the raw emotion of having terrorists set off bombs and then seeing the destruction of a small Texas town, at some point the question of God’s presence crept into people’s thoughts. Many of us are still in shock and horror that such tragedies could even occur. And as we come to grips with the scope of what has happened, that nagging question will continue to creep into our thoughts until we deal with it and learn the truth.
Years ago, I suffered a personal and very private tragedy. Few people knew of my inner turmoil or the question which continuously plagued my thoughts – “Where was God?” For a long time, I refused to search for the answer because I was afraid of what I would find. Yet this only harmed my relationship with God and stole my peace of mind. Thankfully, God is patient, and He waited for me to ask the question He already knew I was thinking. So for today, let’s bookmark our study on The Beatitudes, and let’s find the answer to the question we often ask when tragedy strikes – “Where is God?”
Let’s be honest for a minute. With the tragedies of the week which took place at the Boston Marathon and the fertilizer factory explosion in West, Texas, many people asked the question, "Where is God?” Struck with the raw emotion of having terrorists set off bombs and then seeing the destruction of a small Texas town, at some point the question of God’s presence crept into people’s thoughts. Many of us are still in shock and horror that such tragedies could even occur. And as we come to grips with the scope of what has happened, that nagging question will continue to creep into our thoughts until we deal with it and learn the truth.
Years ago, I suffered a personal and very private tragedy. Few people knew of my inner turmoil or the question which continuously plagued my thoughts – “Where was God?” For a long time, I refused to search for the answer because I was afraid of what I would find. Yet this only harmed my relationship with God and stole my peace of mind. Thankfully, God is patient, and He waited for me to ask the question He already knew I was thinking. So for today, let’s bookmark our study on The Beatitudes, and let’s find the answer to the question we often ask when tragedy strikes – “Where is God?”
It seems appropriate that we just celebrated Easter, the time we celebrate the risen Savior. When Jesus was crucified, He willingly died on the cross to offer hope to a world without hope and peace - the key word being “offered.” God has never forced Himself on us. That is the big difference between us and animals. When God created us, He chose to give us the gift of freewill. An animal doesn’t have this gift. When a skunk feels threatened, he will emit an odorous spray. A spider will make webs and catch insects. Fish will swim. They don’t get to choose to do something different if they get bored of being what God created them to be. Yet it’s not that way with people. People can use this life to do whatever they want – whether it’s right or wrong, good or bad. We can choose to worship God or deny His existence. We can choose to be a teacher or a rock star. We can choose to use our lives to do some good in the world, and unfortunately, we can also choose to do evil in this life and harm others. That is why Jesus came to this fallen world when He knew people would hang Him on a cross to die. He came to forgive our sins and show us a better way. He came to point us to God.
Yet people continue to reject Christ and His free gift of salvation. Because of this, there is still evil in this world, but this doesn’t mean God has abandoned us when tragedy strikes. It doesn’t mean He’s forgotten about those of us who are trying to live our lives to do some good. Personally, I can’t help but wonder if He ever has to restrain Himself from intervening when people try to destroy what He created. Throughout Scripture, Jesus is depicted as sitting at the right hand of God when in Heaven (see Matthew 26:64, Matthew 23:24, and Mark 16:19). Yet there’s one time when Jesus is shown to be standing at the right hand of God. In Acts 7:55-56 when Stephen is being stoned to death for his faith in Christ, we are told twice that Jesus was standing at the right hand of God. When I discovered this passage, my question about God’s presence in tragedy was finally laid to rest.
Yet people continue to reject Christ and His free gift of salvation. Because of this, there is still evil in this world, but this doesn’t mean God has abandoned us when tragedy strikes. It doesn’t mean He’s forgotten about those of us who are trying to live our lives to do some good. Personally, I can’t help but wonder if He ever has to restrain Himself from intervening when people try to destroy what He created. Throughout Scripture, Jesus is depicted as sitting at the right hand of God when in Heaven (see Matthew 26:64, Matthew 23:24, and Mark 16:19). Yet there’s one time when Jesus is shown to be standing at the right hand of God. In Acts 7:55-56 when Stephen is being stoned to death for his faith in Christ, we are told twice that Jesus was standing at the right hand of God. When I discovered this passage, my question about God’s presence in tragedy was finally laid to rest.
God doesn’t just sit back and relax while we mortals are suffering. He is very aware of what’s happening in each of our lives, and He cares. Not only that, but His Spirit is with us on every step of this journey. Jesus is still Immanuel, which means God with us (Matthew 1:23). The same hands that gently hold and comfort us when we’re hurting, broken, and bruised are the ones that were nailed to an old, rugged cross so that we could experience freedom and victory from sin and death. Remind yourself of this the next time you wonder if God even cares what happens to you. God is love. He doesn’t know how to not love you. He showed this in the crucifixion of His Son more than 2,000 years ago, and He continues to show His love to you in a million different ways each and every day. Rather than turn against God when going through a difficult time, choose to run to Him for help and comfort. He’s the only One who can make sense out of pain, turn chaos into peace, and bring good out of something deplorable.
So the next time it feels like your heart will break into a million little pieces and you are tempted to ask, “Where is God?” remember Immanuel. You are not alone. God sees you. He knows what’s happening. He cares. And He is with you.
“But Zion said, “I don’t get it. God has left me. My Master has forgotten I even exist.”
“Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I’d never forget you—never. Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of My hands. The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight.” ~ Isaiah 49:14-16 (The Message)
© April 18, 2013
*Parts were written and posted on December 17, 2012.
“But Zion said, “I don’t get it. God has left me. My Master has forgotten I even exist.”
“Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I’d never forget you—never. Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of My hands. The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight.” ~ Isaiah 49:14-16 (The Message)
© April 18, 2013
*Parts were written and posted on December 17, 2012.
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