You think you're going to live forever. You think life isn't going to throw you a curveball that's too terrible. You think that life will end when you're ready, when you're old, on your own terms...
It doesn't. You don't live forever. Life changes direction in an instant. One moment forever alters the course your life will take and you can't go back.
INJUSTICE! we cry. UNDESERVED! we scream. They were good! They loved God! Their time wasn't up! This has to be a mistake... God, what are you doing? Don't you realize what you've allowed to happen here? How can I keep trusting you and believing you if you are going to do something so wrong?!
We've all had a conversation similar to this with God. Maybe not surrounding death, maybe relationships, maybe love, maybe work, maybe friendships, maybe family, maybe depression, maybe disease...
Tonight I heard news that woke me up inside. Someone I know in Florida lost his wife today during childbirth. She was healthy and young. They hadn't even been married 10 years and today, during one of the most joyous moments of their lives, the most terrifying tragedy occurs forever changing the direction of this man's life. Forever altering his future. Shaking him to the core. She died. His beautiful bride of 9 years died giving birth to their fourth child.
Lord, why? Matt and Kylee are missionaries. They help further your kingdom here in the states and in other countries! And they are so young! Their lives have just begun! They were doing you work and you allowed this?
Tomorrow is never guaranteed. God never promised an easy life. He never promised any number of years here on this earth. He never said, "Once you follow me, life will be perfect! All your troubles will subside and if you experience trouble, it will be easy to get through." He never said we'd be with the love of our life until we are old and gray. Yet when a tragedy like this occurs, we sit back and question God's goodness for allowing this to happen to us. As if he's broken some promise he made to us.
However, Jesus did say, "In this world, there will be trouble." (John 16:33) Jesus promised us trouble, not smooth, wide roads. He promised us trouble, BUT he promised us peace. "And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7) Jesus goes on to say in John 16, "But take heart! I have overcome the world," (vs. 33).
The devastating circumstances of the Boden family has reminded me...
1. Life is short. Blink and you'll miss it.
2. Don't take people I love for granted. We are all terminal and we're not promised any warning as to when life ends. Don't leave things unsaid.
3. God is good, regardless of the devastation we find ourselves wrapped up in. God is love, regardless of the hate we feel at times. God is the healer, regardless of the pain we suffer through. God is in control, regardless of the chaos we are lost in. God is God and I am not.
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
You are good and your love endures forever.
Lyndsay
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