The idea...

So here we are sitting in church, holding hands, singing Kumbaya (sp) and just thinking to ourselves how COOL it is to be a Christian - how AWESOME it is that the creator of the universe is our adopted father - how much He loves us and protects us - how SAFE we are in His arms. After all, Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." In another place, Malachi 3:10 the Lord says, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Wow. Jesus healed so many... a blind man, a leper, several lame, sick, crippled, even the dead. He gave His disciples similar powers and even the authority to cast out demons. He offered His own life so that we can be with Him forever. Surely if we just do as he has asked us to do we will be financially secure and be a people who are immune from suffering.

Romans 8:28 says, "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." NIV

This has been the hardest year of my life bar none. I have what feels like a failed real estate venture (though it seems that I have managed to stop the finacial hemorrhaging to an extent at east for now), I had my mid life crisis (glad to get that out of the way!) am going back to court over my oldest children's safety, and most recently I lost my 16 month old son to a yet unknown infection. That has placed a strain on my family and marraige like I have never experienced before.

I have answered your call Lord in church leadership. Doesn't that offer me some level of protection?!?!? Some kind of hardship amnesty?

In Romans, Paul says that God works for the good of those who love him. It does not say that all who love God will only receive good things. When I look at our examples in the New Testament, I see situation upon situation where one who was in direct service to God was being beaten, stoned, whipped, or executed. Where did i get the idea that I would be safe? Stephen was stoned to death, Paul beaten and stoned frequently before he was finally executed, I read somewhere that Peter was crucified (upside down I think), Jesus himself was tortured and executed, countless missionaries have been and are even now being martyred all in the progression and work of the Kingdom.

The idea that we as Christians are immune to tragedy is errant at best if not absurd altogether.


How do I resolve Jeremiah, Malachi, and the healing's of Jesus with my present situation? I don't know. But I know this...

I do not have to understand to know that GOD IS HOLY.

I do know He said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you".
I do know He said He will give me peace - even in the midst of my dead, toddler son.

I welcome your peace Lord.

I have more to say on this but it is late. I'll write more later.