Why?

Romans 9:18 Paul writes, “So then he [God] has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.”

God is God. I am not. It don’t always seem right, but that’s the way it is. I’m paraphrasing one of my seminary professors. Rules are rules. They don’t always make sense and don’t always benefit everyone, but they are still the rules. Human beings are naturally inquisitive. Since the Garden of Eden, our curiosity has been our undoing. Of course the devil himself has a lot to do with encouraging our curiosity, but we do fine on our own, too. The biggest question: WHY?

If you have a two year old or been around one, you’ll remember that this word is often repeated for no apparent reason. Why? Why? Why are circles round? Why can’t the dog talk? Why can’t I go outside without my coat? Why do I have to eat my vegetables? Now, there are a lot of reasonable explanations for all of these, but to the two year old mind, reason doesn’t matter. As a parent, you can attempt to reason, to explain, to wax philosophic, to lay down the law or simply say, “Because I said so.”

Say what you will about parenting, but often that last answer is the only answer that will move life along. Nobody is really happy with that answer, but it puts things in perspective. The parent, hopefully, has the best interest of the child in mind and makes decisions that don’t make sense to the two year old. But it’s not the job of the parent to make everything make sense. It’s their job to love their child and help them to grow.

God often makes decisions that don’t make sense to our limited understanding and we constantly ask why. Why? Why this person and not that person? Why this disease and not that one? Why now and not later? The answer from Paul and earlier from the prophet Isaiah is unsatisfactory. Because, says God. Because I am God. You don’t understand and you may never understand. All you need to know is that I love you and that I forgive you and that I am with you. I created you because I love you. I forgave you because I love you. I am with you because I love you. Why? Because I am God.

God is God. I am not. It don’t always seem right, but that’s the way it is. I am grateful for that.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love that goes beyond our understanding. Thank you for your patience and your presence. Thank you for your Son and your Spirit. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Stories to Share

Romans 1:11-12 Paul writes, “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you- that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

We need each other. Plain and simple. I need you and you need me. Why? Because we’re co-dependent and can’t function unless someone needs us? No. We need each other because God is telling His story through us and if we only listen to our own story, we’re not getting the whole picture. God weaves His story through each and every one of us, but it’s not a monologue or a silent film. It’s a cavalcade of craziness and wonder. And if we don’t have each other, we shrivel.

God said in Genesis that it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone, so He made Eve. Adam needed Eve. He needed her for companionship and encouragement and help. Moses wouldn’t go to Egypt on his own. He needed Aaron. David had Jonathan. “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him- a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12. God has created us to be in communion with Him and one another and the Holy Spirit keeps us tied to one another.

It is a joy for me to share these devotions with you, to share my faith with you in writing. But I need to hear your stories as well. Tell them however you will, but we both gain strength in our faith from sharing our stories. Paul says we will be mutually encouraged. It’s not a one sided thing, the word flows back and forth. And the stories you share won’t just encourage me, they may encourage others who read them or hear them.

As Paul writes, may these devotions be a spiritual gift to you from me. Thank you for letting me share them with you.

Heavenly Father, thank you for telling your story through each of us. Help us to share your story with one another and those who need the encouragement. In Jesus’ name, amen.