Where is God in my suffering? Where is God when tragedy strikes? Where is God when the doctor says, “it’s cancer”?
They were young and love was in the air. Their future was bright; they had finally found each other. Kindred spirits flying effortlessly through life, playing the games that young lovers play, not worried about tomorrow…or even the next moment.
Last Saturday afternoon, I was at home getting ready to officiate at a wedding when I heard the crash. It shocked me. I moved quickly toward the accident scene. The window of the door showed the telltale signs of trauma. I opened the door, and there on the deck before me was a grisly scene. The young lovers lay side by side, motionless, and without a pulse.
Had they been so intoxicated by love that they could not see the danger ahead? One minute these beautiful love birds had been flying, and now I was burying them.
Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid, you are of more value than many sparrows.”
If God knows the number of hairs on my head, then God knows that number has been on a steady decline for the past 30 years. I guess God never promised that I would not be bald; he just promised to know me intimately.
God knew when those young love birds flew into my window, breaking their necks, that they would leave behind empty nests and a grieving family. I guess God never promised them that they would be safe from the dangers of flight and the clouded judgement of love. God did promise to know them intimately.
God knows when your loved one betrays you. God knows when you are up all night worrying about your children. God knows when the doctor tells you that it is cancer. I guess God never promised to keep us safe from the perils of this dangerous world, but God did promise to know us intimately.
When it seems that we are all alone–alone with our anxiety, alone with our insecurity, alone with our doubt and fear—then God comes to us and says, “Do not be afraid. You are loved, you are forgiven, you are not alone, and I am with you.” You see, my friends, God knows us intimately.
Last Saturday, I stood at graveside and said goodbye to the love birds. And then I stood at the end of the aisle to greet Ellie and Tyler as they pledged to love each other for the rest of their lives. I am not sure that they really realize just how dangerous and uncertain that journey will be.
Where is God in your suffering? In life and in death, the God who knows you intimately is right by your side.
My love to you!
Pastor Jim
PS: My sermon title this Sunday is “Sex, Lies, and Murder.” I hope to see you this Sunday.
