Last Friday I was driving to Antigo to visit my Mom and other family. Changing stations on the radio I heard a voice that caused me to stop searching. I felt that this person had something for me and I had better listen. Dr. Tony Evans www.TonyEvans.org was preaching on the topic: Where is God When It Hurts? OK. You got my attention.
Dr. Evans told me this: I'm going to correct a lie you've been told all your life. I'm going to dispell a notion that has been taught in our schools, and our churches, passed down from generation to generation. I'm going to correct a grave misstatement. Here it is:
We've been told all our lives "God will not give you more than you can handle." That is not true. God does allow to happen in our lives, tragedy, loss, misfortune, heartache beyond what we can handle...ALONE. Alone we are eventually crushed by what God allows to happen to us in this life.
Somewhere in this list of postings, maybe about May 10, 11 or 12 of this year, I pondered this absurd concept. I remember writing something to say if God will give us no more than we can handle, we should all be weak, helpless people and God will pass over us when it comes time to divy out the burdens of grief. "Oh, he's a weak soul, I'll just give him a few rainy days, but this fellow, he's so strong he can handle the loss of a son or daughter!" What kind of god forces people to turn to him/her for personal pleasure? Sadistic behavior can not be a characteristic of God.
The point of Dr. Evans, as I hear it is this: We are living life on earth. Earth is not heaven. On earth we will experience great sorrow some time in our life. God does not kill children. But, children can be killed in this world. When tragedy strikes, we have the same choice Jesus had at his time of despair... Go it alone (Pride) or turn to God (prayer). When we turn to God in prayer and ask for compassion, mercy, wisdom, and knowledge of his will we grow closer to God. Healing can occur in a healthy environment. Prayer prepares a healthy environment.
A blessing to me is to have experienced people reaching out to my family and myself in so many ways. Big and small. People who I never, or hardly knew. People who I've known for a long time, but not in the way of compassion.
Nine months ago tomorrow Aaron pointed me in a direction down a road I am grateful we took together. He was doing God's work and I did recognize it right away. Fortunately for me, I thanked Aaron, when he was alive, for what he did for me. Aaron thanked Cathy and me for what we did for him. I'm a lucky Dad.
Heaven is not found on earth. God is found in prayer and other people. I have found I can be sensitive, beyond what I had ever been before May, to other people who are suffering. What is coming next?
By the way, I read in the State Journal today this fun fact: So far in 2005, traffic fatalities in Dane County are down to 30 from 38 a year ago. About a 25% reduction. And still our son, your friend, is one of the statistics. Air Bear.
Peace and Prayers for Your Family from Ours.
Tom
Posts
