Are You There, God?

by Brandon Jubar

Technology has put the world at our fingertips. We have become gluttons for information. And whether we want to admit it or not, bad news sells better than good. The stream of tragedies playing across our TVs, radios, and computers can cause our view of things to become distorted. The world seems depressing at best, and it is far too easy to fall into that trap called "doubt". So with all these bad things going on, where does God fit in?

So Many Bad Things

The world can be a terrible place. You only have to turn on the news at night and you can see that. Racial crimes, war, dictatorial governments, and countless atrocities against various groups of people are happening daily. Murder, rape, abuse, and numerous other crimes against individuals also abound. The evil that men do is all right there, served up in full-color, stereo surround-sound on our television screens.

Natural disasters, famine, and disease are also taking their toll. Even in the United States, where modern medicine is advancing by leaps and bounds, people are dying every day from strokes, heart attacks, and cancer. And what about debilitating diseases such as Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Alzheimer's? Even without the hateful things that people do to one another, life isn't exactly a bowl of cherries.

Where is God?

It's easy to see how many people could come to question the existence of God. The first, most obvious question that comes to mind is this:

How can there be a God if there is so much evil in the world?

In the Old Testament, it wasn't uncommon for the Lord to punish people with famines, floods, and other disasters. With that view of God, it's easier to believe that the state of the world today has been brought about by the Lord in answer for the many wrongs we have inflicted upon each other.

However, the New Testament reveals the Lord as all-powerful, all-loving and all-merciful. And Jesus shows us that God's love is far beyond our comprehension. He loves every one of us and wants us to be with him in Heaven.

"But if that's the case," the skeptic asks, "how can there be a God with all of the unnecessary pain and suffering in the world? Would an all-powerful, -loving, and -merciful God allow things to be the way they are today?"

The answer, of course, is tied to the concept of free will. God loves us so much that he allows us the freedom to make mistakes -- even hurtful or deadly mistakes. In response, however, the believer can ask the nonbeliever a far more difficult question: "How can there be any goodness in the world if there is no God?"

Suffering with the Lord

Jesus Christ is God made man. He came to redeem us from sin through his suffering, death on the cross, and resurrection. A cornerstone of Christianity is that last piece -- the resurrection -- yet we sometimes forget that there is more.

Jesus said, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24) Thus, when we suffer, we are closer to God than at almost any other time in our lives. As many martyrs have attested, as suffering increases, the presence of God is felt more closely.

At the most basic level, we must simply realize that evil and suffering are a part of the human condition. There is, of course, more to it than that, but this fact alone should not cause us to doubt the existence of God. In fact, when we start to see the face of Jesus in those who are suffering, we are beginning to put God first. We are beginning to see Him in all things, no matter how good or bad.

Being called by Christ is not an easy task. But if we truly pick up our crosses and follow Him, we will make it safely home to Heaven. Then we can ask the question, "Are you there, God?" And the answer will be "YES!"

Life Applications:

If you've ever doubted the existence of God, what caused you to do so?
How do you deal with people who don't believe in God?
What are the "crosses" you must bear in order to follow Christ?

Copyright 2004 by Brandon Jubar
All rights reserved.