God’s “Reason”
I have a friend who was cleaning light fixtures at work. They were embedded in this ledge thing really close to the top of the ceiling. She was up on a ladder, cleaning away, when the ladder fell away from her. She managed to hold onto the ledge with both hands and just ended up hanging there “like a monkey.” She hung for a couple of minutes, arms aching, praying to God someone would come by, but she knew it was unlikely. Finally, she realized she had to let go.
(And no, this isn’t a cheesy “letting go” analogy, so stick with me). 🙂
I have a friend who was cleaning light fixtures at work. They were embedded in this ledge thing really close to the top of the ceiling. She was up on a ladder, cleaning away, when the ladder fell away from her. She managed to hold onto the ledge with both hands and just ended up hanging there “like a monkey.” She hung for a couple of minutes, arms aching, praying to God someone would come by, but she knew it was unlikely. Finally, she realized she had to let go.
(And no, this isn’t a cheesy “letting go” analogy, so stick with me). 🙂
She dropped to the floor worried about her ankle that she had fractured just a year ago. Thankfully, when she landed, she rolled a bit. She was bruised but fine.
Just a few seconds later, as she’s still sitting on the floor recovering, a co-worker walks into the room. He realized what had happen, looking at the still overturned ladder and her resting on the floor. He told her he almost came earlier to check on her, but his phone had rung. Then he said, “God must have had some reason for me to answer that phone and not to come here.”
Really? Did he just give God all that? She didn’t know how to respond, but she was offended.
Why do we go around saying stupid stuff likes this? Do we really have to tell people what God is or isn’t doing and His reasons for stuff? Especially when something bad has just happened? Do we really know anyway?
I’m all about God’s Sovereignty, but there’s a time and a place to name it. Besides, I do still think we make our own decisions in life. We can’t say God had some reason for us to be on the computer, have that ad pop up, and end up watching porn. We shouldn’t ever tell anyone God has some reason for their child to die, their spouse to get cancer, or them to be infertile.
So, could we just stop being so stupid when it comes to God, please? Or at least when it comes to each other? I could see a reason for that.
Jamie Lath
Jamie Lath is a middle child that has no baby picture without her older sister in it. Even with only two siblings, she grew up with family everywhere because all her aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and even second-cousins lived in her hometown. With forty people at her birthday parties (all relatives) and her sister in every picture, she knows a little about community, and it's everlastingness. This has brought most of her ministry focus into meeting people where they're at, listening closely (especially to those who feel voiceless and like no one is listening), and helping them find God's voice in the mix. Jamie graduated with a BA in Communication Studies from the University of North Texas. Following a year of teaching English in China, she returned to the states to attend Dallas Theological Seminary. She received a Th.M. with a focus on Media Arts. Her background in the arts (ballet, writing, and acting) has given her an understanding of how creative expressions can give people a safe place to begin exploring how to use their voice and how it can touch hearts to hear God’s voice. She also blogs at I just called to say "Olive Juice."
One Comment
Robbie Spencer
I recently heard a sermon
I recently heard a sermon that addressed this issue you bring up about invoking God into natural disasters, accidents, sickness, and then attributing that somehow to God. The pastor was saying that God is not responsible for the bad things that happen in life, just that we are in a fallen world where laws are in effect, and nature itself is out of sync. He made the statement that bad things happen to the best of people, and we shouldn't just assume that God is somehow behind it all working a far better plan. While I agree in part, I'm sure that I can't agree in the whole. Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers was certainly not God selling him, but God did use it. The same with the imprisonment he suffered when he was accused of attempted rape. God was doing something fantastic in the very terrible circumstances that came upon Joseph. God would use this to save Joseph's family, and bring them into Egypt. By the way, it was God who disclosed to Abraham that they would become slaves for 400 years, but after that he would bring them out of Egypt and into the land of Canaan. From that the nation of Israel was given its rise, and our Savior came from this people to save the world. Calvary was the worst, and yet God was in it, working, accomplishing our salvation. It's sad that we live in a world so ill affected by sin; but through it all, Romans 8:28 rings so true. It would be hard to blame the flood that destroyed the earth on anyone but God. Yet, it came as a result of man's sins. My sister almost died from suffering five heartattacks after she had had a little baby girl. She needed a heart transplant. She wouldn't allow it and insisted that God was going to heal her heart. He did! She came home from Jewish hospital after being at the top of the transplant list because of her age, and health otherwise. She is beautiful and doing wonderful. God has healed her heart; medically documented and verified. Was God in that? My sister is convinced He was. I don't think the man's remarks were appropriate, and you are right, we are too quick to attribute things to God. However, He is at work and I praise Him. Thank you for your article.