Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good things happen to bad people? Why do good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people?

I could have a thousand theological answers to this…maybe. But then when you ask the first question in context with the rest of the questions, you realize maybe it’s not that we are a target. Maybe if something bad happens, it’s not that we are the bull’s eye for God or Satan or some other divine being who twirls his bored finger in human affairs. Maybe it’s because we live in a place where people are free to choose…and when the world is broken and the people are broken, the consequences are bound to be bad.

Our pretty little earth started out one step forward and two steps behind when Eve took a bite of the apple. There’s nothing we can do about that. We are subject to sin and pain and work and the ache of trying to find our place in a world that wasn’t meant for us.

But we can be open to what God offers…yet we have to accept it, not question or doubt or criticize it. Because if we think we are bigger and wiser and better than God (which we DO think when we judge His action or supposed inaction), we will never benefit from His goodness. We will miss it completely.

I’m going to post an excerpt from the journal on RD’s website his wife, Jill wrote. Her surrender to God in light of RD’s condition is powerful and I can only hope to have a snippet of her faith in my own trials.

Last night I had a wonderful moment with God before I went to sleep. I was listening to a couple of my favorite songs…the ones I seem to cling to in good and bad. Matt Redman ‘You Never Let Go’ and Chris Tomlin ‘Take My Life’. I had a sweet time of worship and praise which I believe is what allowed me to sleep so sweetly. I had my hands raised in praise and was singing a song that I seem to always sing. I think perhaps it might be my ‘life’ song because my heart seems to be drawn towards singing it many times a week…mostly in the shower first thing in the mornings.:) Here’s the words:

Oh God you are my God and I will ever praise you
Oh God you are my God and I will ever praise you
I will seek you in the morning
and I will learn to walk in your ways
And step by step you lead me
and I will follow you all of my days…

Right now, the words are even sweeter than they have been over the years for me. 🙂

Have a good day and enjoy the beautiful sunshine (at least if you’re here in Indy where I see it shining!!) Embrace today as another day God has given us to glorify and praise him & continue to keep the hope along side of us.

Praise be to the Lord, to God, our Savior, who daily bears our burdens… psalm 68