Overcomer!
Mother’s womb was a nice place to be. A little cramped from time to time, but the temperature was pleasant, the food was constant and I could have all I wanted with no thought to fat content or calories. Concentration was unnecessary. Someone else did all the work and I didn’t feel the slightest twinge of guilt.
Some day, I’ll be in Heaven. Everything I need will be provided in a realm where evil is not present. Beauty and Love will surround me. Eternal bliss will never be threatened. Satisfaction is guaranteed by the One who has the power to follow through on all promises. The people I love the most will be there with me forever.
Womb...Heaven.
And here we are, somewhere between womb and tomb. Struggle begins at labor, but labor is just the beginning. Every day, every person in every place faces challenges of some sort. Whether born into affluence, civil rights and a loving family or into poverty and powerlessness, struggle is inevitable. Some are struggling for physical survival. Some are struggling for sanity. Some are struggling to forget painful circumstances. Some are struggling to rear children or repair relationships or render themselves significant in society. Everyone struggles.
Everyone sins. Christian, Muslim, Jew, Pagan, Atheist, Agnostic, Apathetic--All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. It may be the standard “sins of omission and sins of commission”. It may be simply a hateful or lustful thought- an urge for self-gratification at the expense of another or self-indulgence that reminds us of our un-Godlike natures. Everyone sins.
Everyone suffers. Our bodies are frail and subject to the elements. We’re aging. Death happens to everyone. Children starve, people lose their homes to fire and flood, wars rage, jobs end unexpectedly, disease takes over the body, women are beaten by those who are supposed to protect them, cruel slavery exists, missionaries and humanitarian workers are persecuted while trying to provide aid, children are abused and neglected, families crumble, friends move on, churches split, the world is a mess. The Bible says that even creation groans under the curse of sin. Pretty bleak picture.
Mother’s womb was a nice place to be. A little cramped from time to time, but the temperature was pleasant, the food was constant and I could have all I wanted with no thought to fat content or calories. Concentration was unnecessary. Someone else did all the work and I didn’t feel the slightest twinge of guilt.
Some day, I’ll be in Heaven. Everything I need will be provided in a realm where evil is not present. Beauty and Love will surround me. Eternal bliss will never be threatened. Satisfaction is guaranteed by the One who has the power to follow through on all promises. The people I love the most will be there with me forever.
Womb...Heaven.
And here we are, somewhere between womb and tomb. Struggle begins at labor, but labor is just the beginning. Every day, every person in every place faces challenges of some sort. Whether born into affluence, civil rights and a loving family or into poverty and powerlessness, struggle is inevitable. Some are struggling for physical survival. Some are struggling for sanity. Some are struggling to forget painful circumstances. Some are struggling to rear children or repair relationships or render themselves significant in society. Everyone struggles.
Everyone sins. Christian, Muslim, Jew, Pagan, Atheist, Agnostic, Apathetic--All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. It may be the standard “sins of omission and sins of commission”. It may be simply a hateful or lustful thought- an urge for self-gratification at the expense of another or self-indulgence that reminds us of our un-Godlike natures. Everyone sins.
Everyone suffers. Our bodies are frail and subject to the elements. We’re aging. Death happens to everyone. Children starve, people lose their homes to fire and flood, wars rage, jobs end unexpectedly, disease takes over the body, women are beaten by those who are supposed to protect them, cruel slavery exists, missionaries and humanitarian workers are persecuted while trying to provide aid, children are abused and neglected, families crumble, friends move on, churches split, the world is a mess. The Bible says that even creation groans under the curse of sin. Pretty bleak picture.
Many believe the presence of suffering in this world means that there is no such thing as a loving God. Even faithful believers can have irrational and distorted thinking when physical or emotional pain is present. We get angry at God. We lose trust in His protection. We may turn away our faces from the only one who can grant peace and comfort. I’ve been there, have you... screaming blasphemy at God because my circumstance was hard, overwhelming, uncomfortable, unbearable?
Then I'm reminded of the question that Jesus asked the Twelve after many disciples had turned away: “You do not want to leave too, do you?” And Peter answered “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
Then I'm reminded of the question that Jesus asked the Twelve after many disciples had turned away: “You do not want to leave too, do you?” And Peter answered “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
Among the more pleasant promises Jesus made to his disciples is one found in the Gospel of John where he promises that "...in this world you will have trouble...". Jesus always tells the truth. This world is full of trouble. But that is not the end of the matter!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
For more on the topic of God and Suffering, read Celebrating the Wrath of God: Reflections on the Agony and the Ecstasy of His Relentless Love by Jim McGuiggan.