Why, Lord?

Those age old questions: Why me Lord? Why did you let that happen, God? What did I do wrong? What did they do wrong? Where were you God? Why Lord? Why?Awhile back, a friend emailed me with questions regarding the passage in John 9: 1 - 5.

As [Jesus] went along, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him,

“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

My friend was confused by Jesus' answer. The first thing we have to remember is that when Jesus lived, it was common for Jewish people to believe that sickness, calamity, and hard times were a direct result of sin. If a child was born with blindness, people automatically assumed someone had sinned against God.

There are times in the Bible, of course, when God punishes or disciplines. But let's not forget that we live in a fallen world. Disease happens. Birth defects happen. Catastrophes happen. They are natural consequences of living in a fallen world.

I've noticed that we humans are quick to ask the why question. Why would God allow this to happen to me? Did I do something wrong? Was my sin so great that God is punishing me? We want to be able to point a finger, even if it is at ourselves, to pinpoint the reason for bad things happening. I think that was the case, in John 9.

Before that blind man was born, God had a plan for his life. It was a plan that allowed the blindness and a plan that included a great revealing of God's glory. Listen to the words of Jesus again, "...this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him". What an honor to be a vessel of God's mighty work.While pondering all of this, I was reminded of my own experience in watching a precious little girl weaken and die because of a nasty, relentless brain cancer. Prior to the cancer, she was a bubbly, happy little girl dreaming of what she wanted to be when she grew up. And now she is gone. There is that ‘why’ question again. Lord, why her?

I can't begin to think that I know the full answer to that question, but I do know that the words Jesus spoke for a blind man two thousand years ago are still true today, for this family as well.

"This happened so that the works of God might be displayed."

God showed Himself in mighty ways during this little girl’s fight against cancer. God's love was poured over her and the family. Money was raised. Food was given. A temporary home near the treatment center was provided. Prayers were lifted up. And her cancer went away the moment she entered the arms of Jesus.

The grief is still heavy for the family. Maybe there is heavy grief in your life, too. Maybe it is cancer, Or family issues, Or loneliness, Or money problems, Or rejection.

I don't know what difficulty you are facing. But, I do know this: God is sovereign. He is in control. He is not pacing the floors of heaven wondering how things are going to turn out. He is trustworthy. He will give you the strength you need to go through your trial. His glory will be revealed.

So, a simple answer to the question ‘Why Lord?’ - God loves you and wants to work in your life in a mighty way. He wants to display HIS glory through YOUR life.

"This happened so that the works of God might be displayed"