Something to think about...
Have you ever looked at something and thought, “Why? Just why?” I'm sure we've all had that experience. It's why the “face palm” emoji exists. Every summer, after soaking the family in chemicals, I watch the buzzing, bloodsucking nemesis of all humanity, mosquitos, and I wonder, “Why?” Do they have a legitimate purpose in this world or are they simply a result of the “fall”? There are some things we may never understand on this side of eternity.
I'll never forget having that conversation with my boys when they were much younger. Ephraim, who was 6 years old at the time, had mosquitoes all figured out. He began explaining his theory on their existence. In his mind, God created mosquitoes to suck up our blood so that people wouldn't get too full and explode. What a lovely image, I guess that's how little boy's minds work. After a long and detailed explanation of his theory, 3 year old Ezra piped up and said, “Mosquitoes are from the devil!” I think I'll have to side with Ezra on this one.
Life is full of questions. We're designed with a desire to understand. This desire drives us to ask questions and seek answers. We all want to make sense of the world. This drive can draw us to the deeper questions of meaning, significance, and purpose; and if we keep searching, we will inevitably come to the limits of our understanding. There are some things that will never make sense to us. This is even more evident in the wake of horrific tragedies, like those we witnessed last week.
In seasons of uncertainty, when things just don't make sense, there is One we can turn to for guidance and direction. The Word instructs us in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will direct your path.”
When the road is foggy and we can't see a clear way forward, we can be absolutely certain of one thing - the Lord is with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. It is a promise guaranteed by His blood. If we lean on Him in the confusion we can trust that He will lead us through. In the midst of all our searching for answers this week, I pray that we might seek Him and find Him in the middle of it all.