Tragedy

In the last few weeks two young men have left this world in an abrupt manner. Both of these young men have crossed my path in life. One was 31, the other 21. Young and alive, both deaths were a surprise, a sudden and pain filled interruption to the families. Tragedy comes across our path in various ways. We view the tragedy of the cyclone in the Philippines and we moan, but it is distant for most of the world. The tragic death of the two young men brings tradedy to my front door because of my connection with them. The fragile reality of life is often forgotten or ignored until tragedy triumphs over the routine of everyday life. The 'God' questions always surface during such times. Where, why, why didn't, etc. Our futile attempt to make sense of tragedy is a reflection of our lack of understanding concerning life. Statements are made concerning tragedy that put labels on God and makes God seem unreasonalbe. "God needed him more than we did." "God is punishing people for their sinfulness." "God knew something that we didn't know and put an end to it all." These statements make the tragedy more tragic. We attempt to deflect the horror, the pain, the unanswerable questions and pin them on a false notion about God. We are playing pin the tail on the donkey with the eternal God. We definitely are blindfolded, and it's impossible for us to comprehend or explain and in such an hour it would be wise to be silent. "Be still and know I am God." In the hour of tragedy let us practice being still. Let us give up the trite sayings and elementary explanations and declare that we are in pain and we don't know and we are going to wait before the Lord for His grace and healing. God didn't 'take him', and God doesn't 'need him' more than we do. God is...let's stop hanging labels on Him that make us feel better. We live in a sin cursed world, a world of death, dying, tragedy, and selfishness. Until the new heaven and earth come into being, this is the home of unrighteouness, suffering, injustice and death. I am thankful God is...