This morning I was checking out my women’s ministry’s private Facebook group and one prayer request stuck out. After a long time of waiting, a friend’s family hit a snafu. Just when it seemed like God had finally responded, that the trial was finally over, there came to a bump in the road. Normally, it would be a minor-to-somewhat major inconvenience, but after what this family has endured, it seems like one more detour, one more thing to offer up to God’s throne with shaking hands.
And, yes, it will be OK. God will work all this out in His timing. Everyone knows this and finds great comfort in the all-embracing loving arms of God.
Yet there’s this part of me that just says, “But really, God?! Are you kidding me with this?” Because I’ve been there, done that, and know the frustration these “minor” things can bring.
Just when it seems like you’re leaving Egypt after generations of slavery, there’s a snag—oh, it’s the Red Sea! I guess we Israelites, God’s chosen people, are going to be slaughtered right here by the Egyptian army, even though Pharoah pinky swore with Moses to let us go.
But really, God?!
Or you FINALLY get that son that God promised you, even though you’re 100 and your wife is 80! It’s about time You made good on that promise God, because Sarah and I aren’t getting any younger. Now You want me to sacrifice my only son?! The one you blessed me with in my old age?
Are you kidding me, God?
Maybe you’ve been bleeding for a dozen years, which is, well, embarrassing to say the least. Thank goodness for those BOGO 50% off female product sales at CVS because you’ve spent all your money seeing one specialist after another. Your family is tired of hearing about it, and frankly, you smell. So you take a chance, just one chance, to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment because you’re desperate. To be found “unclean” among this crowd of religious folks could mean death, but you need healing…and you get it. You hear a voice rise above the others, “Who touched me? I know someone touched me. Who was it?”
Umm, it was me? (All the while giving yourself a mental beating; you’ve been found out and you will probably die.)
Jesus seemed like a safe choice, until now. But then He looks at you with those eyes of compassion and He listens to your story, which you tell through sobs. Jesus takes His own hand and wipes the tears from your eyes. Then He does something you didn’t expect; He forgives your sins, too.
Really God.
You’re a little more quiet this time. Your voice takes on a sense of awe. Because the Red Sea has parted, so you cross on dry ground (you didn’t even have to muddy up your sandals). There’s a ram in the bushes to offer as a sacrifice to the Lord, instead of your precious baby boy, for He always provides. You feel silly, foolish, and relieved that this wasn’t the one thing that broke your faith. He’s been good, very good, but sometimes you forget because it’s hard to remember what He’s done when you’re in the midst of chaos, or even at the tail end of a long trial.
This is a lesson for me today, for my heart, which is weary and trampled upon from a week of “Really, God’s?!” I know in this, as in all things, I’ll have that jaw-dropping moment of realization when I see how He uses these bad circumstances for the greater good. He’s really God and He is in control of all things, including the “little” moments that splinter my resolve.
He is fully, divinely, amazingly, always and forever really God.
What’s your “But really, God?!” moment? How did you come to see God as really God? How can I pray for you in the midst of these momentary troubles? (I am not making light of your plight, just trying to look at things with the view of eternity in mind.)
She is Beloved 