Thank you God for my... uh… back pain?!?

Sarcasm?  Perhaps it sounds like that.  Many people use sarcastic comments to illustrate their dislike of some circumstance.  I am not expressing sarcasm though… nor am I trying to come across as some self-righteous zealot.  Let me explain. 

I suffer from arthritis, and migraines.  Often experiencing pain I would not wish on my worst enemy.  Some days it hurts to breathe, or wiggle my toes.  During these times I turn to God for support.  I plead for miraculous cures that don’t exist.  Thankfully I have found Tylenol, Advil, and ice to be reliable for the most part.

Some days I am pain free.  The first pain free day I might thank God for relief, and for the blue sky, and the birdsong in the trees.  The next, I thank him for my blessings and the rain, and the smell of lilac on the breeze.  By the third day I almost forget what the pain was like, and I stop leaning on God so much.  Over time I imagine that I might get lost in the trappings of life, blessed as I am, and forget to thank God at all.  Until the pain returns and I am reminded that I am weak, and need God to help. 

I was thinking about Paul today as I read from 2 Corinthians chapter 12.  He was given a thorn in his side, and pleaded with God to remove it.  In verse 9 God refused, stating “My power is made perfect in your weakness.” I wondered what the “thorn” may have been.  Could Paul have suffered from arthritis or migraines as well?  Paul accepted the “thorn” and praised God for the chance to experience the fullness of God’s glory.  How can I then cry foul, or plead for relief.  I am reminded instead to praise God all the more, and humbly ask for His help to get over the hurdles I might face. 

So yes, thank you God for my back pain, and my migraines; it reminds me I am blessed, and loved; I have a roof over my head, and a wonderful job.  Most importantly, I have a loving God who cares for me.

“Why do you love God?”

“Why do you love God?”

As a Christian I am often faced with this question.  Many non-believers I encounter find it difficult to understand my unwavering faith and love for an unseen God, who seems to allow terrible things to happen.  Bad things happen all the time.  Bad things happen to good people, but bad things happen to bad people too; we just tend to focus on the good people getting shafted.  We live in a broken world.  When God created mankind, He gave us free choice.  This freedom we have been given leads to sin.  Hate and greed are foremost at the root of what we see as evil.  It leads to war, and poverty.  Years ago I was faced with this question from a colleague.  With the recent Rafferty trial concerning the brutal murder of little Tori Stafford, I recall the events from the early 90s well.  We found ourselves on the topic of salvation, and I asked if she was saved.  She admitted she was not and added “how could I possibly love a God who allows evil men and women into heaven?”  She was referencing the now infamous Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka, and the horrors our community faced at their hands.  I went to the same school as Leslie Mahaffy and knew the anguish to which she referred.  She commented that she was familiar with Christianity, and knew that God would forgive them of the crimes committed, if they were repentant.  She could not stand going to heaven if monsters like that were there as well.  I knew this would be a tough sell; how can I explain this in a way she could understand.  I decided to draw a parallel for her.  She was a mother, and I could use this to demonstrate God’s love for all of His children.  Similar to “TheProdigal Son” 

Imagine your son or daughter, whom you love dearly, begin to distance themselves from you.  Then, unimaginably they murder someone.  You would be hurt, disappointed and perhaps angry; but you would never stop loving them.  In time he, or she, approaches you with genuine remorse.  They understand the horror they have done in your eyes and the eyes of everyone else; would you not forgive them and welcome them back into your arms?

This is God’s love.  We are all sinners, and have done, or thought terrible things throughout our lives; sure not nearly as bad as murder – but there are still monsters among us.  As we approach God with genuine remorse for the wrongs we have done, He welcomes us home with love, as only a Father can.  With this true assurance of pardon and salvation, how can I not love God?