On Whys And Wherefores…

-
“God’s ways seem dark,
But soon or late,
They touch the shining
Hills of day.”

- J. G. Whittier

Why? Why do certain things happen? Why is there so much injustice in this world? Why does tragedy hit some families, while others seem to have more than their share of good things?

At different points in my life I have faced situations, wherein my trust in God’s unfailing justice, was shaken. One time, I remember feeling pain and a sort of blank amazement, as blow upon blow, fell. I couldn’t comprehend why God would allow such things to happen. His reply to my incoherent query was, “…do not sorrow for the joy of the Lord is your strength…be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved…” *

At other times, I compared my life to others and asked Him, why. His response was similar to Aslan’s – “It is not your story to know.”

I do not claim that I have understood His ways. One thing, however, I do know –

I lay my “whys”
Before Your Cross
In worship kneeling,
My mind too numb
For thought,
My heart beyond
All feeling.

And worshipping,
Realise that I
In knowing You
Don’t need a “why”.

- Ruth Bell Graham

* Nehemiah 8: 10, 11

Comments

Unknown said…
A lot of the Psalms are all about the injustice of life. I think we have to admit that life isn't just (can you say there's justice in the face of Darfur?), but that we still have to hope for and work for justice.

Do we not need a 'Why'? I refuse to let that question drop. For in asking 'why', we can perceive causes for injustice, and so work to stop further injustice.

Only in exhaustion I can understand the resignation to numbness.
14 November 2007 at 21:48
inkhorn said…
Yes, life isn’t just. I was talking about the death of a young man when I wrote that blog. I still do not understand why God allowed him to die. Sometimes when you’ve felt all the emotions from grief to anger, a sort of numbness is a blessed respite.

There is injustice in this world. If God has put it in your heart to fight a particular injustice, then you should.

I cannot stop myself from questioning. I think it comes naturally. But after the questions are asked, the knowledge that He is there with me, helps me come to terms with it.

Remember the conversation we had about prayer and using it as an excuse to not do anything. Definitely, we should help others, work towards providing a better life for those in need, and fight injustice. But, it has to be a part of God’s plan for my life. If I tried to fight injustice with my own abilities, I wouldn’t be of much help to anybody. Of course people can hide behind that as well and say that God does not want them to do a particular task…I think there has to be a certain amount of honesty between oneself, God and other people.
15 November 2007 at 18:30
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

On Waiting…Again…

-
I waited for you beside the waters But you did not come. And as I gazed at my reflection, I saw the quiet surface, Ripple and furl. Sunlight that had danced his way Through the billows, Now hid himself, Shying away from what the waters showed – me! The still waters turned choppy And I, lone and cold, Waited for you But you did not come. I ranted and raved, And ordered Him to tell you to come. I was waiting after all. Was it so unfair what I asked? In the silence, And the cold, With only the North wind for company, I finally knelt, Too spent to weep, And gave Him what I’d been holding Tightly to my heart – you. The wind died and The waters stilled. And I saw my watery visage again. The sunlight deigned to grace me With his presence, This time! It dawned on me I had been placing the wrong order. He was leading me to you Not the other way round! So I have begun to walk. Along the green pastures, And beside the still waters; Sometimes dark valleys...
Read more

On Re-Decorating…

-
Sometimes something as trivial as moving the furniture around can change one’s point of view entirely! God always has a purpose (even though 80% of the time I may not see it!). Emerging from a phase, brought me to a point where I was thinking about being proactive. Which lead me to join forces with the maid and do some re-designing! So as the beds in the guest room swung across to their new resting place (on the opposite wall), I stood back and took stock. Seeing the room look strangely different made me realise that this was me! (Bear with me as I think this through!) So they’re the same beds in the same room, but now that I see them from a different angle, the entire “feel” of the room’s changed. It’s not even subtle – more like glaringly obvious! So where does that leave me? With my thoughts, priorities and feelings re-aligned! I’ve not always been a big fan of change. I like things the way they’ve always been. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it – would be a favourite catch-phr...
Read more

The Fight...

-
I sit and contemplate – we argued You and I – In silence, arguing still. I am hurting and so Are you; But where did it all begin? With some non-issue! I silently stare ahead, Studiously avoiding your eyes. Thoughts flit into my mind – I wonder if we could go back To not loving – ‘Cause love and hope Succour pain, And sometimes tis better not to feel at all. Sweet numbness, Shroud me. What blessed relief, To stop fighting the inevitable! Then! Before I can slide Under a cold shell, A ringing shout – “Stop wallowing! Get UP! Fight!” “Is that you Lord?” Ask I, slightly confused! Then light breaks – We are one, You and I. So I fight – the numbness And indifference That creeps in so insidiously – For us. I steal a glance from The corner of my eye, And catch you stealing A glance at me. And I realise - oh glorious fact! – We can never go back To not loving! - R.D.P
Read more