A question that has been on my mind a lot lately, is a question I found myself asking plenty of times while in Zambia last month…it is this,
While in Zambia, the answer to this question, was quite clear-even with the pain and heartaches that we saw and experienced there. God was/IS right there in it ALL. He never left it, He never will…
Fast forward to a few weeks later and here I am, sitting comfortably in my apartment. Christmas is a week away. There is a fresh layer of snow on the ground, Christmas lights are up and on, there are the 'classic' Christmas shows being shown on TV, the tree is decorated and there are presents underneath it…so WHY? does it not feel like it is Christmas?!?! Why do I not have the joy that I feel as though I should have in my heart right about now? I mean, this IS the time of the year that we (as Christians) set aside to CELEBRATE Christ's birth…
I know all of that. I really do. But again,
All I have to do, is turn on the news, read a news article or hey, even visit a local hospital, or spend a short amount of time with a youth, and I am reminded at just how horribly broken our world is. Right now, my grandma is back in the hospital, extremely weak, and one of my great great great great(?) aunt, is as well after suffering through a stroke and a seizure…BEtween the current news and this, it is quite easy to realize why I do not feel like celebrating Christmas….
A VERY valid question…one that I am QUITE sure I will be asking myself once my world race begins in July…BUT in the mean time..my answer, my response TO this person and for this question, is this…"because I have seen TOO MUCH GOOD, to believe that there cannot be a GOD who loves me and willingly gave UP HIS life for me".
I've seen the Good in the countless hours of love and dedication my parents have shown me throughout my life. I've seen Good come out of a horrible situation with one of my friends, when they were able to share/help heal, another friend who had a similar, horrible past. I've seen the Good of this world, through a toothless grin of a homeless man in the city, as he willingly gave up his spot in line to a young mom, while waiting for food. I've seen the Good (and pure joy) of a young child, receiving a Christmas gift for the first time. I've seen the Good in the hearts of my 'sisters' in the Philippines, as they serve all week at their job, then take a 4 hour bus ride back to the slums of Manila-only to minister 24/7 to the people at home…and to do with with a SMILE on their face. I've seen the Good in the street kids that most people avoid, as they soak in scripture teaching by these 'sisters' of mine. I've seen the Good in my extended family, as they reach out and minister to those around them. I've seen the Good in fellow youth leaders that I work with every week-as they love the youth, pray with them and spend countless hours with them. I've seen the good in my college professors who spent hours with us, their students, sharing life and encouraging us in our latest battle/victory. I've seen the Good in my own brother-as he took the step of faith in baptism not to long ago and is still striving to serve God each and every day. I've seen the Good in my youth girls, as the wrestle with life-yet as they seek GOD with every piece of who they are. I've seen the Good in the Native American children who brought smiles to our faces, even after experiencing a suicide in their school. I've seen the Good in how GOD has brought together this awesome squad that I have the privilege and honour of being a part of. I've seen the Good that can come out of a husband/wife team as they together follow God and HIS dream and build a school/home for HIV/AID kids of Zambia. I see the Good EACH and EVERY day as I awake. The Good in being able to breathe one more breath. Each a gift from GOD.
The list goes on and on, but I am sure you get the point. God didnt create (or make) junk. It says clearly in Genesis 1:31;
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose". (Romans 8:28)
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever" Psalm 23:6
"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." Gal. 6:10
"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge"
(2 peter 1:5)
I may ask time and time again, "God, Where are you?" but the peace that I have in my heart, KNOWING that NO MATTER WHAT, God is GOOD…Is GOOD. I may not/will not understand why my grandma is in the hospital, or why other things suck in this world..but what I DO know is that the peace that is IN my heart…is good and it is a goodness that ONLY comes from GOD.
Merry CHRISTmas!
*NOTE: this blog was put on 'hold/pause' as right when I was writing this, two of my youth girls stopped in to say 'HI!" and there too, I was reminded/saw the GOOD in their lives, knowing how GOD has pulled them through! Praise GOD!"
