Big Questions that Want Answers

From the time we can talk, one of the first and most consistent questions we ask is, “Why?” There is no end to what children attach to that word. Why is the sky blue? Why is there a moon? Why do I need to go to bed? And on and on they question. As we grow up, the question takes on a different intensity. Scientists and philosophers answer the question with their research and ponderings.

One question in particular plagues us most of our lives. Why do ‘bad’ things happen to ‘good’ people? It is an age-old question that comes up pretty much every time we suffer hardship or loss.

Reading God’s preserved stories about Joseph and Job simultaneously and adding my own experiences with suffering, has given me a different perspective on this big question, “Why?” Joseph answered the question with, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20 NLT And Job was answered by God with, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” Job responds with, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I – and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things too wonderful for me… I have only heard of you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I have said, and I sit in the dust and ashes to show my repentance.” Job 42:2-6 NLT

Somehow, in this world, we have a magnified self-importance. We forget who created us for what purposes and we get busy taking care of our own interests – things that make us more comfortable and put our mind at ease. Like Job, we may be good people doing a lot of good for others or like Joseph, we may be striving as slaves for masters who get all the benefits of our labors. Both had a relationship with God but could only see their little part of the world. Job used his wealth and position to bless others. Joseph used his gifts and talents to do well where he was placed. He didn’t know why, but he continued to believe that God had a plan, and he used his time in slavery to learn and develop skills that would later take him straight to the top in a foreign land, second only to Pharaoh. Job lost everything including his health and questioned God. Up until now, he believed that if he shared and was hospitable and used the wisdom God gave him to bless others, God would fulfill his need for comfort and peace. So he was trying to defend himself but God wouldn’t listen to his defense! Different journeys, but same destination! God, in His wisdom, uses the trials in this world to bring us to a place where we meet Him face to face and come to terms with His sovereignty and our need of His grace and mercy.

It is in our own suffering that we are able to gain this new perspective of where we fit into the picture. Without suffering, I believe I am king or queen of my own little universe. When suffering comes, my little perfect universe begins to crumble, and I begin to see that God is truly the ruler of the whole universe. He created it and He knows how to best manage it. I am a small but important part of His creation. He loves me dearly and will do what it takes to open my eyes to His glory, His goodness, His faithfulness, His power, His love and His awesome presence. Who am I to question my maker? As Job says, it is all too wonderful for me to comprehend!

Now He has me in a place where I can more easily be used to His purposes. I become more flexible, more in tune with the Holy Spirit, more willing to obey. I don’t just go through the motions of worship. I truly worship because now I recognize who He is – my awesome Maker! God inhabits the praises of His children. His presence in me is more pronounced. His grace is evident in me and is easily extended to others because that is who He is!

We don’t naturally choose suffering, but God, in His mercy, knows exactly what each one of us need to come to the place where we can meet Him face to face and see His glory! He can use any circumstance in this world to bring us to this place. If we give it to Him, He will use it for good because He is good.

Thank you, Lord, for not allowing me to be lost in my own little kingdom. In your mercy and grace, you called me out and brought me into your presence through your word and through my life circumstances. I praise you and honor you and give you all the glory, for you alone are worthy of all glory and praise! Amen.

I Can Use That!

When our children were young, they loved doing crafts and we loved to recycle as much as we could, so we often made crafts out of “trash”. Our son would walk by the trash can and look in and pull out a paper towel or toilet paper roll or tuna can and say, “Don’t throw this away! I can use that!” And he did use much of it in very creative ways. 

When Joseph was young, he was a bit arrogant and his brothers were very irritated by him and by the fact that their father favored Joseph. When they had an opportunity, they sold Joseph into slavery. Joseph could have said, “Well, I guess that is the end of me. I think I’ll just kill myself rather than be a slave.” But he didn’t. He became the best slave a master could ever dream of having! Joseph didn’t blame God, but rather used the opportunity to learn as much as he could and was promoted to being in charge of his master’s entire household and property. 

When his master’s wife couldn’t get the attention from Joseph she wanted, she accused him of attempting to rape her and he was thrown into prison. Again, Joseph could have blamed God and just quit – given up and waited to die. But instead, he became the best prisoner any guard ever had to keep. He was promoted to a place of caring for the other prisoners. And when the time came, Joseph had been fully educated and trained for the position God had in mind for him – second only to Pharaoh in ruling over Egypt. He was released from prison and put in charge of the kingdom.

It is easy for us to read about Joseph in the Bible and not think about how difficult it was for him for many years because we focus on the end. But if we stop and ponder a bit, there were a lot of years between him being sold as a slave and him becoming a ruler in Egypt. And all those years, he was either a slave or a prisoner. He had been mistreated, lied about, betrayed, and left as trash. And God looked down and said, “I can use this!” Joseph saw in the end how God had used his circumstances for His purposes. He told his brothers, “You meant it for evil, but God used it to save the lives of many people.” (Genesis 50:20)

Sometimes we go through life and hit rocky places – difficult things that irritate or hold us back. We feel like trash – not good for anything or like we have been trashed. But God looks down and says, “I can use that,” and He uses the very things we think are hurting us or hindering us from reaching our goal to shape us – to make us into more useful, productive people for His Kingdom work.

Someone recently told me, “God is really changing me. I used to get upset whenever my car wouldn’t start and throw a fit, kick tires, slam doors, and mutter. Now I don’t feel like I need to do that anymore. I just get out, use the portable battery starter, hook it up and start the engine and go. I have way more patience now than I used to have.” It took several months of an unpredictable vehicle that started some days and not others and no one could determine the cause. So he had to frequently get cables and jump start his vehicle. In all of those many times of being detained and inconvenienced, he grew less and less impatient and angry and learned to be grateful that he had options and wasn’t left sitting without help. 

Yes, God can use the “trash” in our lives and do good things with it. “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.” Romans 8:28 NLT

Lord, help me to see when You are working to change me, calling my heart closer to You. I want to trust You to always be doing Your good work in me and through me no matter what I am going through. You sometimes do Your best work through the deepest suffering. Help me to keep it in that perspective and always be willing to suffer for the good You are doing and will do. There is nothing too big or painful that You cannot redeem and heal. I worship You and praise You for who You are and the work You are doing in me. Amen.