As my home state of Missouri begins to come to terms with the aftermath of the deadly tornado which crushed Joplin a week ago, I consider how it is human nature to try to make sense of tragedies, to understand why trials and tribulations befall certain people, while others appear to breeze through life with one blessing on top of another. This tendency to question the fairness of life drives some people away from religion because faith is not an adequate answer for them; it offers too many vagaries and not enough solid evidence.
Others who question, turn to religion to make sense of things, and sometimes that results in trying to reach logical conclusions where an analytical finding can never be applied. This kind of attempt at logic with a religious twist can lead to misguided decisions (convoluted end-of-the-world prediction dates, for instance); judgments about why some people are sick or afflicted in some manner or theories as to why tornadoes strike certain communities and spare others, for example.
However, the teachings of Jesus do not focus on making sense of circumstances. In fact, his central theme is love, and unconditional love simply doesn't make sense, it is beyond reason.
Jesus wants his followers to transform the world, but he does not claim we will always understand everything which happens along the way. He tells us not to fear, not to worry, and by implication, not to spend time trying to figure out why life turns out the way it does. I have experienced pain and heartache without faith and with it, and I am content to choose faith and place my trust in God. The mental agitation which is a result of constant fretting and questioning is not a productive use of time, and "figuring things out" is not as satisfying as we think it will be.
Jesus does not always offer explanations for what we see unfolding around us. He invites us to see with eyes focused not on this life, which is fleeting, at best, but on that which is eternal. And what he does offer is peace that passes understanding which we can embrace every day, especially during times of tragedy. Our neighbors in Joplin don't need our theories; they need our love, compassion and help, and, let's not forget, so does our neighbor down the street.
Often, Sister Terry, the Ozark Uncle reads your posts and wants to reflect for some time before posting a comment. But, that has led to procrastination, and his response stays unhatched in his cerebral incubator.
ReplyDeleteA believer once told me that God never gives us more than we can handle. That concept was certainly challenged in the Joplin tragedy. As an non-believer, the Ozark Uncle cannot focus on eternity, and he has to coach himself to stay brave and strong on the "go-it-alone" trail.
Spent some time cutting some weeds at Deer Camp yesterday. An elderly woman came hobbling up the road. Strangers may approach the Ozark Uncle but never leave as one. He hailed the woman who was inspecting his unfinished bungalow from the road. After discussing the house, she explained she lived around the corner (the house in which she lives looks almost uninhabitable). She was in mourning for her husband who died a year earlier at the age of 89. They had been married 63 years. "I'm so lonely since he died, we loved each other so." The Ozark Uncle wanted to say to her, "...but you've lived a wonderful life." Realizing that would be pointless, he pointed to his unfinished front porch and assured her a glass of iced tea would soon be available to her as she passed.
Sister Terry, the Ozark Uncle isn't sure this comment connects with your posting, but it's what came out in a moment of spontaneity.
Thanks, Ken, I always appreciate your comments....and I do find a connection!
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