Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Home from the Holidays...

The Lopez clan returned yesterday from spending Christmas in northern New Mexico. A wonderful time was had by all as we enjoyed celebrating our Savior's birth. In the meantime there was the devastating news of the tsunami in south Asia. Our earthly existence is truly fragile. Its commencement is not of our doing, and we have no way of preventing its end. If there is a Giver of Life, all-knowing, and all-powerful, what should our attitude be towards Him? Donate to the tsunami relief effort via World Vision.

1 comment:

Rusty said...

Paul,

It seems to be a trans-cultural trait for humans, upon being dealt a blow of suffering and pain, to ask what it was they did wrong to deserve such treatment. Does this attitude arise from our thinking that we inherently deserve happiness in life? Or does it come from some primal instinct based on the assumption that life is better than death? Regardless, the point of my post is that, in the face of suffering, we choose to either blame or trust God. Both options have, as their foundation, distinct understandings of who we are and who God is.

In the Judeo-Christian worldview, consider that Job had done nothing to deserve the suffering he endured. And what of the suffering endured by Christ during the 12 hours leading up to the crucifixion? What was it he had done to offend God?

I'm not saying that we shouldn't ask God "why" when we endure tremendous suffering. This is certainly not an easy issue to navigate. Indeed, I cannot speak from experience on this matter, as the Eklofs can, but I can look to examples of those who have dealt with suffering... and I can compare the attitudes they have with regards to God.