They Mystery Of Suffering Demands More Than A Possible Or Plausible Answer - It Requires A Person

There is a very moving conversation near the beginning auto insurance rate quote the Pilgrim's Progress, where burdened Christian meets Evangelist, and begs for help and guidance. Evangelist points to the far distance, and asks - "Do you see yonder wicket gate?" Christian looks and shakes his head and answers "No". Evangelist tries again - "Do you see yonder shining light?" Christian peers away to the far horizon and noticed something - one spot that seemed not so dark as everything else, and he answers, "I think I do." "Keep that light in your eye and go directly there and so shall you see the gate."

If consolidate school loans were to be asked - Do you see the answer to the riddle of life and the mystery of sorrow and suffering we would have to answer as bluntly as Christian did. "No I do not see it." But if we were asked - do you see any points of light - any places where the darkness of the mystery is not so dark as elsewhere - we could reply, "I think I do."

There are various beams of light which we can consider, and as we keep them before us, we too might see the gate. We may not see the gate clearly now, but as we seek the light we will see more of the truth of God, for the darkness we walk in at times is not impenetrable gloom, and the night, thank God, has stars.

A good deal of suffering and tragedy in life is due to the working of certain unchanging principles.

Someone wanders too near the edge of a precipice and falls over and is killed, as the law of gravity comes into play. That same law which can cause human suffering is indispensable for most of those things that make life liveable. These laws which can cause tragedy when broken - are necessary if we are going to walk along the street.

It is similar with fire - it gives out heat when we are cold - but it is that very property which can cause death if it were to get out of control in a building. Do we then wish that fire did not behave like that? It would cease to be fire and all its tremendous contribution to human welfare and well-being would be lost. We cannot have it both ways.

If we break the natural laws then the consequence can be suffering, and the degree of suffering varies according to the laws broken.

It can be liken to that line on a sports pitch or court. Sometimes we might like one of these lines to approach or retire a yard or two but that cannot be done. The line is fixed. We cannot bend what are called the laws of nature and when broken pain and suffering can result.

Our God is a God or order and not of chaos.

Another light which can guide us to the gate is what Paul describes our membership one of another. If one man plays the fool someone else's life may be ruined. If one country makes a bad decision the whole world can be plunged into disaster and cataclysm. We are connected and inter-meshed with those around us near and far whether we like it or not - and we cannot isolate ourselves from that fact.

But there is another side to this - if we could isolate ourselves from everyone else - and it would be so wrong to even attempt to do so - think of what we would miss - friendship - or - the bread we eat - the medical help we call upon when ill - so much comes through other man's labours.

This matter of fellowship - we cannot share the blessings and shirk the risks.

Jesus Christ came to bless our lives and He shared and took on the many risks and burdens.

Another matter arises - God's impartiality.

A number of years ago in a poor area in India an earthquake flattened a mission house and a few yards away untouched was an opium den. Trouble falls on believer and unbeliever alike and we have to face this. This can baffle us!

What are we to say to a world that enthrones a Herod and crucifies Jesus Christ?

What has the Gospels to say to use on this? It does not say that if a man follows Jesus Christ his business will not go bankrupt. Or, if two parents sincerely believe in Jesus that death will never rob them of a child. There is no promise that we will be lifted out of every dangerous situation.

When Jesus told the story of the houses built on rock and sand - the rain descended - the floods came - the winds blew and beat - on both these lives - and our puzzled hearts can cry - why!

There is another light - and that is how suffering can awaken our conscience. Think of the work of the relief agencies - TEAR Fund - seeking to bear other people's heavy burdens - seeking to heal the pain around this fallen broken world.

Poverty - war - sickness - which cause so much suffering - these are consequences of SIN. We see Jesus fighting this on so many occasions, but man will not have the ways of Christ.

There is another light, that leads us to the answer. And yet we need more than answers - we need more than light to lead us to that gate - we need the gate to be open.

What we need most in our hour of trouble and suffering is not just an answer - but power to carry us through.

This is where God comes along and offers you power and victory.

These lights help us - but they only help us reach that gate - and for us that gate is Jesus Christ.

This is God's answer - and we lift our eyes to see the Cross and the sacrificial death of Jesus - who was punished that we might be forgiven - who took our suffering which wounds us that we might be healed - who took our sin that we might be forgiven and made righteous in the eyes of the Father - who died that we might have life and life eternal - who took our poverty and shame that we might share His riches - who took our rejection that we might be accepted by the Father and acceptable to the Father - who took the curse, on the tree, that we might be blessed.

The mystery of suffering - it needs more than an argument or a possible and plausible philosophical answer. It needs the power of the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ.

Sandy Shaw.

Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at insurance life studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.

His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.

Sandy Shaw
"mailto:sandyshaw63@yahoo.com sandyshaw63@yahoo.com