To be honest this is a question that creeps into my mind from time to time, and I am ashamed of that. It would be easy to say, "Sean, that is a perfectly good question to ask and no one could fault you for asking it," but the question of "Why?" feels so empty. Living in America we are accustomed to asking this question to God as if he were obligated to answer us in an apologetic way. Frankly it makes me laugh out loud thinking I can push God into a corner and force him to explain the reasoning behind the woes of my life. God is loving and understanding and I am thankful for Jesus living on this earth for he knows where that question comes from for he cried out it too on the cross 2,000 years ago.
Recently I heard someone talk about the Virgin Mary and her thoughts after she conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Many have said that Mary must have been so distraught in her current situation, and that she would have cried out to God "why me and why now?" This thought goes back to our American based theology that everything centers around us and that God is to do everything possible to make our lives better. Do I think that Mary never doubted what was happening in her life and that God was watching over her? No, she was just as human as you and me, but I do not think that she lived in the question of "why me" either.
In Luke chapter 1 we read words that came straight from her heart and we can see her true motive in her relationship with God. It says,
"My soul glorifies the Lord
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."
My soul glorifies the Lord. What a wonderful thought and prayer for us in our times of need and trial. What if we started focusing on that first, God how can my soul still give you glory in this time of pain, God how can I praise you when all seems to be falling down around me?
I know for me this is hard, as it is for anyone who truly puts the focus on God first and not themselves. I have been thinking a lot about Mary lately and have a few more thoughts to share, but they will have to wait because this post has been too long and I would be surprised if anyone has read the whole thing :)
Seriously, Christmas is the best time of the year because the focus can truly be taken off of ourselves and placed in the One that it belongs. This Christmas I ask you (and myself) to put your trust and hope in the One that loves you and created you. Trust in his plan no matter what is going on around you. Pastor Dave had a great analogy this weekend about how with God we don't always know why things are happening but in the end God always comes through. Trust in him.
