A Little Word Called Why

This is a guest post in a new series called My Resurrection Year which shares stories, reflections and experiments from Resurrection Year readers. The author of this piece heard me speak at an event in Western Australia and wrote this in the early hours of the morning. It is particularly inspired by my wife Merryn, the author says. If you have your own Resurrection Year story or reflection to share please get in touch.

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Why?

is a little word that describes a bottomless abyss full of unanswered questions…

Why do some prayers get answered and not others?

Why does an all-knowing God sometimes seem so silent to my repeated cries for help?

Why are my hopes and dreams crushed again and again to the point that I am even afraid to hope any more at all?

How?

is a little word that describes a very dark and doubt-filled place, questioning the very nature of God…

How can a merciful God that sacrificed his precious Son for us allow continuous killings and starvation on this earth?

How can a loving Father not stop agony when it would be so easy for Him to do so?

How can I still believe in all His promises when so many of them don’t seem to come true for me?

Yet…

is a little word that describes a small blade of fresh green growth sprouting up from of a burnt and scorched wilderness that seemed incapable of ever bringing forth life again…

It is a link between death and life, utter despair and a new, tentative desire to hope again.

Even though I don’t see Him, yet… He is always there, always knowing.

Even though I don’t hear the response I wait for, yet there is a mysterious peace that fills my heart… that takes away the need to understand somehow.

Even though I can’t always figure out how, yet He is always faithful, and His purposes for me are still good.

It is not the answer I wanted, but it marks the beginning of a resurrection…

In exhaustion I lean my head against the chest of my heavenly Father and rest.

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Picture credit

Comments:

  • February 24, 2014
    Linette

    What a brilliant insightful piece. It could not have come at a better time for me.
    Thanks

    reply
  • March 1, 2014
    kim

    I happened upon you, and felt kinship. My dream too, the life I thought I was to have forever, shattered when my 18 year old son passed 3 years ago. Taking with it my marriage and most of the person I was. But, out of the mess of life I was living, was a chance to start anew. Now, at 48, I am self employed, single and a new mom to a 17 month old little girl. It’s not the life I dreamed, it is the life God gave me to walk, and it’s one step in front of the other.
    Kim

    reply
    • March 12, 2014

      And sometimes one step in front of the other is all we are called to do for a while. Prayers for your journey, Kim.

      reply
  • March 2, 2014
    Clare Alice

    oh wow, how beautiful. Like a message straight from God’s loving understanding heart. Thanks for posting it on your blog Sheridan.

    reply

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