But Why?

I went through a time quite recently where I questioned the Lord. I think we all do this from time to time. I was feeling pretty down, disheartened and sorry for myself.

Here in South Australia we have been experiencing drought for the past 4 years. We are farmers so a drought really impacts us. This year we put our crop in and prayed for a good season. This year is make or break for a lot of those in our district. And our prayers were answered. We had great opening rain, we got our crop in quickly without incident. It continued to rain regularly right through June, July and August. We dared to hope. Our crops looked magnificent.

Then in September when the grain was begining to form in the head of the wheat it stopped raining. Then it got really windy, hot and windy. Then to add insult to injury we had a few days where the temperature reached 37 degrees (thats about 98 in US language!). It's not supposed to get that hot at the beginning of spring.

So I started to ask why. Why build our hopes only to have them dashed. Again.

Then I received a book in the mail from a dear friend. The book is called "Encouragement for Life" by Charles Swindoll. I picked up this little book while having a cuppa last week and found one page that answered all my "why's". So just in case I'm not the only one with a case of the "why me's" here is that page that was such a revelation to me.

We must each admit "I don't understand why - and I may never on this earth learn why." We must then try our best, by the power of God, not to let that affect our faith. In fact, we should ask God to use that lack of knowledge to deepen our faith.

We must each admit "I cannot bring about a change." We may have tried. We may have done everything we know to do - but we can't change this situation. It is time to admit "I have no power to change it ... Lord, God, You know what is best for your child. I wait. This iswhat You have given me under the sun. I will walk in it." And that explains how the Christian can have joy in the midst of wild and crazy, mysterious and strained circumstances.

So this is how I'm trying to live. Through all the misery and mysteries - to trust in Jesus and depend upon His Word.