This past week I had the opportunity to discuss "God's Will" with complete strangers in a hospital waiting area. The wildfire coverage was on the TV in the waiting area, and one of the ladies said something about wondering if a natural disaster was "God's Will". Of course I had to pipe up and state my position.. being the shy and reserved guy that I am.
The question of why bad things happen to good people has been written about and discussed over and over again, but it is still one of the hardest things to understand.
During this 10th anniversary of the 9-11 tradgedy, many are still trying to find a way to reconcile the events of that day. Not unlike the Oklahoma City bombing, the lingering questions of why did this have to happen, and why did so many innocent people die, remains unanswered. Even though the state extracted it's revenge against one of the perpetrators, the damage of the OKC bombing will forever live in the minds of those affected. Being present with those that were in Oklahoma City, some a few blocks away, when the bomb exploded or lost people in that tradgedy, it's obvious that the shadow of the trauma is still very present in their contenance when they share their memories of that horrible day. The question of why once again comes to the surface, understandably connected to the Creator, usually in the form of.... Why does God let bad things happen to good people.
When I was a teenager, there was a double homicide/suicide in my family. My two half sisters were taken from us at the ages of 7 months and 18 months. I learned several things about life including that sometimes there is not an answer to "why". Bad things do happen to good people, and tradgedy can come to anyone at any time. I also learned from that period of time which also included losing two homes within 5 years to fire, that being angry with God is alright, even expected. Most of all I learned that God also morns with those that have suffered be it a major or minor loss. God is always there to bring you comfort, but you have to be open to recieve that comfort. Eventually some of the why questions may be answered, maybe not, but I found most of the answers in my own heart.
The changes that those tradgedies made in the way I see the world, have brought me to this point in my life. I think it might sound trite, but the suffering I have endured, makes it more familiar and enables me to relate better and have deeper compasion for those that are hurting. We may never know the why, but we do know the how. How to survive, how to recover, how to move on, or how to reach out for help if you need someone to share your burden. The first step to healing is to forgive. If you haven't forgiven who ever it was that was the source of your pain, including yourself.. you won't ever get to the point of being compeletly healed. Repent (fr. Greek.. literally means change the direction of your gaze, or focus) forgive, and accept God's healing grace.
I've heard several people say that they don't need "church" to feel close to God, and that may be true for them, but I am very thankful that I have a group of sinners that I see a couple of times a week that are always willing to help me through when life's storms are raging. The body of Christ is the church, and I always find comfort there.
Blessings!!!
Rev. Scott Raines
Pastor of Singles Ministry
St. Luke's UMC
222 NW 15th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Church 405-609-1009
Cell 512-554-1661
sraines@stlukesokc.org
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