With the death tole rising each hour, Peru feels more than ground shaking aftershocks. The recent earthquake has devasted the country, and raised questions. After a man found his wife and children among the dead after the collapse of a Catholic church during Mass, he was heard shouting ”Why did you go? Why?”
He is not the only one asking “Why?” I am confident that millions across Peru, South America, and the world are asking the same question. Each one of us ask the same questions when it seems like God has stepped out for a minute, and things just don’t go right. Why the bridge? Why the hurricane? Why the earthquake? Why the young girl murdered? Or maybe on a much smaller scale. Why MY job? Why my house? Why my family? We each ask the question when our security blankets of money, comfort and stability seem to deteriorate despite our frantic attempts to hold them together.
It is in these times that our faith is tested. Can we really say, “God is in control”? Can we arrive at church with a painted smile and respond to others with a quick comment as “God is good,” or “I am blessed.” Should we really say it if we aren’t so sure? What are we supposed to think when the bad times come?
These catastrophes do not point to the absence of God, as some would like to convince us, but rather to a creation that is hurting. A creation, that because of sin, is groaning, ready for it’s Redeemer. Romans 8 not only includes the commonly quote antidote for problems, “All things work together for good…” but also “the whole creation groans…” This world is deteriorating because of sin.
What can we say then? In light of these difficult times, what do we tell them? “Where was God?” “Why is this happening?” “How can you say God is loving?” Should we even respond?
I believe that even though bad things happen, it does not mean God is not in control. He is in control. These catstrophes point us to the fact that we are sinners living on a sin cursed planet, in a sin cursed universe. These times should not force believers to accept the idea that God doesn’t care, but encourage us to run to the cross telling us He does. Despite our sin, He loved us. While we were enemies, He still died for us. These times, thought difficult and painful can strengthen our faith in our loving and caring God. We may not have all the answers, but we know He does.