Why?
It’s a big question. I have asked it many times. And about big things in my life. Why did my younger sister die of cancer? Why did my younger brother’s kidneys fail? Why was I diagnosed with multiple sclerosis?
I usually turn to God with my why questions, almost always in an accusatory way. “God, why did you do this?!” Or “God, why did you let this happen?!”
As I think about the questions I have asked God, I see how unfair they are. Why am I only blaming God and demanding answers for the awful things in my life? I haven’t asked, “God, why did you bless me with three wonderful siblings and parents who loved me enough to teach me about you?” Or “God, why have you given me such a beautiful, comfortable home?” Or “God, why did you make this flowering tree whose fragrance I enjoy every time I walk out my front door?”
If I’m going to blame Him for the bad stuff, it’s only fair to blame Him for the good stuff too.
The thing is, as today’s verse says, God is really only to blame for the good stuff. All the good stuff. Everything good.
The surrounding verses explain that the bad stuff comes from a combination of satanic wheedling and our own selfish desires and choices and failures, as individuals and as a society.
And God “allows” these bad things because He committed to giving us free will long ago. Freedom to listen to satan and freedom to choose unhealthy, evil, dangerous, treacherous things.
I can’t have freedom without the freedom to discover the consequences of my choices. So even the bad things in my life are the result of God’s true freedom-giving love for me. He hates the pain we continue to unleash upon ourselves, and one day He will redeem it all, but His offer of freedom to live as we choose still stands.
Dear God,
Thank you so much for your perfect and generous goodness. I am so grateful for all you have done to bless me. Forgive me for only blaming you for the bad stuff when you really only deserve credit for the good. Thank you for giving your children freedom to choose. I’m so sorry we’ve chosen evil so often and made such a mess of things. Please come soon and wash the evil away forever with your beautiful love.
CamDevo 