Embracing the Mystery of God’s Ways
As we navigate the complexities of life, it’s natural to wonder why God doesn’t always reveal Himself clearly. Why does He often leave us guessing about His intentions and purposes? The truth is, our expectations of God can sometimes cloud our understanding of His nature.
The Disillusionment of Unmet Expectations
I’ve experienced this frustration firsthand. When my husband’s cousin found love at 40 and married a widower with three children, it was a beautiful celebration of life and joy. But just three months later, we were gathered in the same church for her funeral. The senseless tragedy left me questioning God’s goodness. Similarly, when my son faced a series of losses and disappointments in high school, he became disillusioned with God. I begged God to reveal Himself to my son, to prove His love and presence, but it didn’t happen that way.
The Paradox of Faith
Why doesn’t God feel compelled to meet our expectations? After all, He is all-powerful and desires everyone to come to Him. Yet, He often doesn’t operate according to our understanding of how things should be. As I reflected on this paradox, I stumbled upon a passage in John 6 where Jesus speaks about being the Bread of Life. His words were controversial and confusing, even to His followers. Many of them turned their backs on Him, but Peter’s response stood out: “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
Choosing to Trust
Peter’s declaration resonates deeply with me. Even when we don’t understand God’s ways, even when He doesn’t meet our expectations, we can choose to trust Him. We can acknowledge that His ways are higher than ours and that His goodness is not dependent on our limited understanding. In times of disillusionment, we can echo Peter’s words: “Where would we go? How could we ever walk this road without Him?”
The Power of Faith
We cannot force God to prove Himself to us. He will reveal Himself in His time and in His way, and that way is often through faith. When I’m tempted to question God’s goodness, I remind myself of the Cross – the ultimate demonstration of His love and sacrifice. In the face of uncertainty, I choose to believe, to trust that His way is good, even when it doesn’t make sense to me.
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