When we don't understand the "whys" and "whens"

Welcome back to A Good Bible Study.

This week, many of us are going through circumstances that make us question the "whys" and the "whens."

For me, yesterday in particular, was both a sad day and a celebration, as our friend Pastor Todd MacDonell left those who love him, and was joyfully welcomed home where he will live forever in the presence of God, in the presence of complete love, grace, and joy!

It's what we all want, what we all crave without even knowing it, and for his sake, we are excited that Todd's time was now. For our own sake, we are saddened that his time was now.

Please continue to keep his family in your prayers, as they adjust to life on earth without his presence, guidance, tender touch, and voice. I know from losing our child 6 years ago, that the joy of knowing the one you love is safe, is happy, estatic even, and is waiting for your eventual arrival, doesn't make it suck less that they are gone. (Sorry if you hate the word "suck" sometimes it just fits.)

I was thankful for the incredible peace God gave my husband and I during the months of praying for both a healing, and realizing at the end, that Matthew's time was now. His life, however brief, was a blessing to everyone who walked with us during that time. Our faith was both strengthened and stretched.

When I was at my weakest, God was at His strongest. When I gave way to anger, He allowed my moments of rage and literally held me in His love and comfort. He brought me to mountaintops of praising Him when I should have been in the valley of despair. Through it all, His peace was constant.

I knew that no matter what, we all have a time to live and a time to die. I knew no matter what, Jesus paid the price for Matthew, and my child would be whole, healthy, and happy in heaven, waiting for me to join him.

I knew, and I know, that one day, my earthly life will end and others will miss me just as I miss Matthew, and I will take my own place alongside my son, and my grandparents, who are all believers, and we will not be separated ever again.

God makes that possible. Jesus' sacrifice makes that possible.

There is no illness in heaven, no pain, no disease or injury. There is love, peace, joy, praise, majesty, power, and when we face His honor and glory, we will know not just in our reason, but in our entire being, that His will is Good.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (New Living Translation)
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever."


Let's pray:

Father, thank you for being with us when we don't understand the "whys or whens." Help us live in the balance between belief in miracles, and acceptance of Your timing. Help us see the good that You always bring out of any pain, any suffering, any disappointment.

Love, Karen

Photo by Dan, courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/