I Have Trouble With This

After last week's bridge disaster here in Minneapolis our famous local pastor John Piper was quoted around the blogosphere as having the following conversation. He was putting his 11-year old daughter to bed and part of the conversation went like this:

But you and I know that God did not do anything wrong. God always does what is wise. And you and I know that God could have held up that bridge with one hand.” Talitha said, “With his pinky.” “Yes,” I said, “with his pinky. Which means that God had a purpose for not holding up that bridge, knowing all that would happen, and he is infinitely wise in all that he wills.”

Talitha said, “Maybe he let it fall because he wanted all the people of Minneapolis to fear him.” “Yes, Talitha,” I said, “I am sure that is one of the reasons God let the bridge fall.”
--Desiring God Blog

While I realize that my poor human persepctive is both narrow and biased, I find such a view of God not one I would want to believe in or follow. It shows a God who does- or doesn't do things as punishment, as a way of getting people's attention, as lack of caring or passion when it comes to human suffering. That is not the God I see in the teachings of Jesus. It is not the God I have seen in many ways over my lifetime.

But somehow we have to give an explanation for something as awful as this. We have to come up with answers as to why God would let such things even happen in the first place.

It is not a new question. It has been around since the days of sitting around campfires and telling stories of God. Like the one about Job and losing it all in a bet between God and Satan. (Let's leave that theology aside for now. Please!) There are all these comforters who have all the answers and try to show Job the error of his ways. "You must have done something bad. Your children or your great-grandparents must have done something bad. God wants you to pay better attention and become a better person." Sound familiar?

At the end there is no resolution. God speaks to Job and says simply, "Don't ask. All is in my hands. Trust me."

That is NOT the same as saying God chose to let the bridge fall for some greater reason. That is NOT the same thing as saying that God uses death and destruction as a way of getting people's attention. That IS saying that no matter what happens, God is around and in control. What that means is far beyond anything that I can even begin to explain.

All I know is that at times like this God is very present. No questions asked.

One last comment from John Piper though. Beond the first question, there is always this as well.

I said, “You know, Talitha, that is true whether you die in a bridge collapse, or in a car accident, or from cancer, or terrorism, or old age. God always keeps you, even when you die. So you don’t need to be afraid, do you.” “No,” she shook her head. I leaned down and kissed her. “Good night. I love you.”

I think those are also God's exact words.