Friday, August 16, 2013

And, Surely, He is With Us


Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And, surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Are you going through a dark night of the soul?  Wondering with all your heart and mind where God is in the midst of the mess that is your life?  Asking why, why, why when you strive to do the right thing, but nothing goes right?

Have you ever raised your fist toward heaven and shouted to God, "It isn't fair!"?

I don't think there is a one of us out there who hasn't experienced such feelings at some point in our lives.  It's one of the pitfalls of being, well, human!  And, in our human frailty, forgetting, momentarily, Jesus' promise to be with us through thick and thin, to the very end of the age is par for the course.

In my third novel of The Glade Series, The Moment of Truth, ten-year-old Davy asks Reverend, the Great Horned owl formerly known as Wise One, why life isn't fair.  The boy's anger stems from what the owl has told him about the carelessness and callousness of people when it comes to understanding the sacred nature of this world God created and called "good."  As Davy's sensitivities are being awakened to God's presence, he longs to know the reason why bad things happen to good people.  Here is their exchange:

"It's not fair," the boy said indignantly.

"Life is not fair, lad, never has been and never will be."

"Why doesn't God just step in and fix the wrongs?  Isn't He big and powerful enough?"

Reverend was momentarily taken aback.  He took Davy by the shoulders with his wings and gazed with utmost seriousness into the boy's eyes.

"Don't ever doubt for one moment, my dear boy, that God can accomplish any thing and everything at any time and in any place.  He so loved mankind that He granted them free wills; to do anything else would have made them only puppets to be manipulated at a whimsy.  God longs for relationship and that must be sought out by men for it to be real and true and meaningful.  Anything less would mean tyranny and slavery, neither of which have anything to do with our Creator.  The evils of this world are not God's doing.  He came to let us know that He would be by our side no matter where we are or what may be happening to us.  In good times and in bad, even amidst the chaos of evil we may find ourselves in, He is there to love, to comfort, and encourage us to stay focused on the unconditional love only He can provide."

~

What is your take on Reverend's explanation?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.

Will you pray with me?
Thank You, Father, for creating us in Your image, for giving us free will, and the ability to be in relationship with You.  When life seems unfair, help us to remember that You are right there with us, working all things for good to those who believe in You.  Amen.

13 comments:

  1. This is wonderful with so many lessons in it. Thank you so much for the time you take, Martha.

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    1. You are more than welcome, Char! Thank you for coming by, taking the time to read, and for leaving a comment.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. I've mentioned at Wisdom and Life a few times about Oh God Book II, where Tracy Richards the protagonist asks God why there is evil in the world.

    God pulls her aside and explains to her that he's never been able to figure out how to create something and not also create its opposite.
    --Have you ever seen night without day? he asks
    --Have you ever felt cold without hot? he asks?

    Then how can there be good without evil?

    I LOVED that explanation. And I use it often.
    --
    Chris

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    1. That is one fantastic explanation, Chris, and I really appreciate you sharing it here!
      Thanks so much for visiting, my friend!
      Blessings always!

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  3. One of my most favourite quotes is -

    When God pushes you towards the edge of the cliff always remember either He will be standing below to hold you or He will give you wings to fly!!<3

    This one thought resonates in my mind at the worst times of my life and I look upwards just to know whether I am being given wings or is He standing there to hold me.... it helps me go through the worst times just knowing that no matter what He is there.

    I agree completely with the explanation given by the Reverend for that is exactly what defines my faith too!

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    1. Thanks so much for coming by, Me, and for your wonderful share. Yes, this is such a great quote! Something we should all remember and know to be true.
      So glad you liked Reverend's explanation, too, and that it resonated with you!
      Love and blessings!

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  4. You're making me more excited to read your novel(s) :)

    I have underwent my own dark night/s and I have given in to despair the first time. But I believe that God has allowed me to experience His mercy by embracing me in my weaknesses.

    ~Have you ever raised your fist toward heaven and shouted to God, "It isn't fair!"? Yes, I did. I struggled so much in this area but I continued to believe.

    Why won't He fix things? ~ I know that God is very open to our questions and from what I read from St. Teresa, we cry more for our answered prayers more than the unanswered ones.

    It also reinforces the chapter we took from the Purpose Driven Life (Transformed by Trouble).

    Everything has a purpose ~ God writes straight in crooked lines. I have faith in God.

    I pray with you Martha ~ Thank you dear God for all the blessings that come our way. Help us focus on Your love for us so that together we may embrace our own crosses in life.

    I pray for you dear friend. Sending you lots of love.

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    1. "We cry more for our answered prayers than the unanswered ones." How wise of St. Teresa! Getting what we think we want is never as good as getting what God knows we need.
      I, too, have been in that very dark night of the sould more than once. It's been a long journey, and my God has been so patient with me.
      And, don't worry, my friend . . . Our Lord is perfecting you each and every day. He knows the love you have for Him in your heart and soul. He is working out all for His holy purpose and, indeed, will make our crooked paths straight.
      Lots of love and blessings and prayers right back at you!

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  5. Hi Martha, I don't think God is creating the evil and destruction in the world. I think HE's there for us. God's there for us during the dark and rough times in our lives, patiently waiting for us and leading the way. He has our best interests at heart always and knows sometimes it takes us a little longer to learn lessons. It is easy to become impatient and frustrated with God. Patience and faith are necessary always. And troubled times are perfect times to strengthen our faith and beliefs.

    Thank you as always.

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    1. I fully agree, Vishnu - patience and faith are key. We must trust in the Lord at all times and in all circumstances. And, yes, some of us are slower learners than others, that's for sure!
      Thanks so much for coming by!
      Blessings, my friend!

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  6. Hi, Martha. I'm a little late in reading this because my mother was in the hospital again from August 7 through 15. In fact they want her to go back but she refuses to go. I think that Reverend's description of God to Davy is a very good and accurate explanation. I am so glad you are incorporating your faith in your novels. I am blessed to know you and am thankful you are using your creative abilities in writing so everyone can benefit from your gifts of creative writing (that sounds redundant, doesn't it but I don't have time to edit right now). May God continue to bless your writing as you glorify Him in all you do.

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting, Galer!
      So sorry to hear about your mom - it's so, so hard to watch our parents age and fall victim to so many ailments. I hope she will change her mind about the hospital . . .
      Glad you liked the snippet from the book and thank you for your kind words. I do hope God will continue to work through me to reach out to others in His name.
      Love and blessings, my friend!

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