Murray Smith
I was asked to visit a young man in hospital. Days before, he’d been seriously injured in a weekend sporting accident. I went to the spinal unit where doctors had offered a devastating outlook. Being paralysed from the shoulders down, little promise of improvement existed. My heart melted for him – a new dad. His wee baby had been tenderly placed in a ‘sling’ just above his face – so he was able to ‘nuzzle’ his little one and speak words of love. There were lots of tears. A family plunged into a free-fall of agonising despair…
Although he’d given permission for my visit, it was understandable that my presence was received cautiously. After all, he was contemplating living with terrible loss, grieving over dreams snatched away, with plans that his life held, being obliterated in a moment. Coming into that setting as a person of ‘faith’ I wanted to offer something meaningful that might make a difference… looking for words carrying hope.
Being perceived as God’s ‘representative,’ I felt the young man’s ambivalence initially. In that moment, he held God in low regard. Unequivocally vocalising his confusion and bitterness towards God, he reasoned that had He been able to prevent ‘this’… why did He not? By inference, He must have allowed it. Reasonable challenges, which deserved more than glib platitudes in response. Attempting to bring comfort risked appearing trite.
I sat beside him, praying, feeling indescribable compassion… listening more than talking, with tear-filled eyes… aware somehow that what I was feeling was a microscopic expression of God’s heart for this young man’s life… I sensed how much God felt his pain and his family’s.
I’m troubled with bad events happening in life, bringing suffering that is attributed to God.
Earthquakes, natural disasters and the like, are called “Acts Of God”… as if He was the indifferent architect of every dreaded circumstance life throws our way. Failing to acknowledge Him in the good, we’re quick to attribute Him with evil.
From our limited perspective we charge God with dropping the ball. Jonathan Swift’s observation is relevant – “God made man in His image and man has returned the favour”. In other words, our inclination is to reduce God to ‘our image’, that like us, He shares our finite capacity and understanding. The fact is, He is transcendent – vast and unfathomable in His greatness. His love and His power are incomprehensible. He is not the author of sickness, disease or every calamity that rocks life on this planet.
I’ve stood with people experiencing unspeakable loss. Invariably I’ve noticed those who ‘run to God’ find strength and perspective. Others ‘running from God’ in their pain and disappointment, struggle to ever heal.
Our lives matter greatly to God. One writer marvelling about God’s loving care, penned words worth pondering.
“Every single moment You are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that You cherish me constantly in Your every thought! I couldn’t even begin to count Your thoughts towards me any more than I could count the sand of the sea.” Psalm139 :17-18
