Epignosis

I know all about the Ring of Fire and the underlying science behind plate tectonics. The rational part of me can comprehend the cause-and-effect of the geological activity causing the earthquake which caused the tsunami.

But why? And deep down inside, I think I’m really asking “But why, God?”

Natural disasters of this scope affect us on so many levels: intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. And we have different responses on all of those different levels.   Most of us are extremely fortunate to not have to be part of the physical reaction.  The pain, suffering and anguish of the people of Japan is more than abundantly clear, and it’s not even over yet. At the same time, some of us have friends, family or coworkers living in Japan and they are personally affected, even if they live hundreds of miles away.

Our minds get involved in the intellectual debates.  Were they prepared enough? Warned in time? Did people die needlessly? Are the reactors going to make it? If the earthquake had happened in the middle of the night how many more people would be dead? All these thoughts and more can race through our minds as we try to make sense of the data we have been presented with. And in some sense, we have more access to the data, especially photos and videos, than ever before. And we sit staring at the tv or computer, fascinated yet horrified at the raw physical destruction that took place.

Emotionally, I think it all depends on our connectedness to the events. The more removed we are from the situation, I think we are stuck with general feelings of despair and sorrow. When we have friends or family personally involved, we start to be more pulled into the emotional whirlpool that surrounds the catastrophe. Having lived in Japan for almost 18 years, and having many friends who still live there, I feel anguish in ways I didn’t think I would. We pray for all those involved, both friends and their families and coworkers. May you be a shining beacon of hope in that land of current sorrow.

And finally, we come to the spiritual side of things… We know that this is a corrupted fallen world. Bad things happen all the time. And God can still bring beauty out of the ashes. But why this? Why now? Why?

Sometimes I want to be angry with God about this situation, but I know that’s wrong. It’s just as inappropriate to say to God “Why did you allow this to happen?” as it is to say “Why did you cause this to happen?”  Our feeble human minds will never be able to comprehend how exactly God remains sovereign, we have been given free will, and in the middle of all of that, bad things happen to everyone. Do we understand? No. Do we need to understand in order to have faith and trust? Again, No.  Our minds struggle against the unknown things, but we must be content to leave it all in His hands.

Psalm 13 is a great reminder from David, the man after God’s own heart.

1 How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

We pray, we help, we seek Gods will. And through all of our doubts, fears, pleas & struggles, we must have the faith to know that God is still God.