How Can You Still Love God?
This was a question from a dear friend, a sister in Christ, a believer. As a representative of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.) I have learned not to shirk away from these questions. I think it is a shallow faith, a shallow Christianity that tries to defend God and sweep these questions under the rug as if we have no right to question God. A shallow faith will not anchor us through the storms of these times.
The God I know is big enough to handle our questions to handle our shaking our fists at Him, Our screaming at Him as well as our crying on His shoulders. (Listen to the song “Bring it On” by Trace Adkins)
So, I welcome the question, because it is raw, and honest. It is real, as real as My God. So how can I still love God? Because I know God, and to know God is to Love Him. (1 John 4:9 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.) God is love. God did not pull the trigger; God was not the one whispering lies of doubt and fear and deceit in the ear of my son that night.
Jesus described Satan this way in John 8:44 He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. And again, in John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.
God did not tempt or test Nate in this way. James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.
Now Nate is in the presence of the God who is Love. He is in a place where those voices will no longer torture him. He is in a safe space.
I cringe when I hear people say “I have to believe…” I have to believe there is a bigger plan….I have to believe that Nate is in Heaven….. I have to believe in God because I want to see my son again….”
In this moment I have a choice. You have a choice; we all have a choice. To cling to the God who is Love or to choose the darkness. I believe it is John Wesley who said, “Every Decision is a choice to turn toward eternal Joy or towards Eternal Misery”.
God has given us a choice. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Does God prevent every bad thing on earth? Obviously not. And he never said he would, in fact Jesus said in John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
You have a choice today, to experience the healing that comes from the one who loves your soul as he said, “I have come to bind up the brokenhearted.” (See Luke 4:14-21) You can choose to let him help you get better, or you can turn away and grow ever bitter. I hope you choose Love.
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
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