For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth … so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. - Isaiah 55:10-11
Do you believe everything happens for a reason? When bad things happen, do you believe God is punishing us? I can’t believe God dispenses suffering or punishment, much less measures it out. We don’t always know what the right answer is or if everything will work out. Most of us prefer certainty over mystery, and the more uncertain things are, the more likely we are to try to make sense of things. Stories like: “Everything happens for a reason.” Stories like: What “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.” (God doesn’t deliberately give us misery or sit back and watch us try to find our way out of tough situations). Stories about closing doors and windows opening. From whether democracy will survive our national sins, to when our hearts and institutions will reflect the reality that all lives are equal and important no matter the color of skin; from how to live with hope as the climate changes; to when we can go back to school and church and travel and hug each other again – it’s only natural to want clarity. I believe there are some things we can count on: God’s goodness, for example. God’s constant presence. God’s transforming love, and the Holy Spirit’s power to heal and restore. That Love’s purpose will be fulfilled. I believe God’s word is as sure as the most fundamental cycles of life. I believe God’s word is truer than any story we can make up. That we can count on it. We can build our lives on it. We can rejoice in it.
Meditation: Have there been times when we felt God was indeed punishing us? When have we felt God’s transforming love?
Prayer: Father in heaven: For the best story that ever was, and is, and that you are in it with us, thank you. Amen
