Asking why

It is human nature for an individual or one sociopolitical group to not only dislike but to sometimes harass and perhaps carry out aggression against those who are not in the “norm” of the particular sociopolitical group in question. One person many times terrorizes that which he doesn’t like, understand, or feels is different from him. One country takes it upon themselves to denigrate another country that is next to them simply because they pick up their fork with their left hand rather than their right. Such abuse often ends in death or at least disfigurement, either physical or emotional or both, and leaves it’s victims with one question, “Why?” And there is no answer to that question, at least none that will satisfy the victim truly. Even God doesn’t try to answer this questioning, the very same that came from Job, except to remind Job that God was the one who made him, who can part the seas, who created the universe. God is the one who is ultimately in control. And while that is not a direct answer to the question, it gives a reason for hope, a reason to continue to live, a reason to keep going even though loved ones are gone either through natural means, torture from disease or from physical abuse or war efforts, etc. And so the God of mercy sent one not only to heal those hurts, but also to give us the strength to go on. Why do people have to fight and die in wars? Why do our loved ones die of cancer or get killed in a car wreck? Why are some babies born with cystic fibrosis? And why do some men feel it necessary to beat their wives or children or both? Why? Why was the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City blown up, killing 168 people, mostly children? And why was the World Trade Center in New York City blown up and the Pentagon in Washington bombed leaving more than 2000 dead? Why did a madman have a shooting spree on the campus of Virginia Tech, leaving 32 people dead? Why was there a slaughter of the innocents right when Jesus the Savior of the world and the Light unto many nations is born. Why??? Why do all things that are sweet and dear to us have to finally end and the mean and cruel painful things seem to last forever? Finally, why and how long do we have to endure? It is so hard to endure, but somehow, we have to make it. Somehow, we have to go on. This is the peace that passes understanding. This is when we come to God and say, Father I cannot take this, this is too hard, help me. And God says, But I am. The great I AM. The great Holy One of Israel. The one who cares for us and carries us all. And through him and only him we find the way, the truth and the life.

In about a month, The Reluctant Shepherd will be made available to distributers and bookstores through Author House. Their phone number is 1-888-280-7715 if anyone wants to order books. You can also order the title from bookstores like Barnes and Noble, or from Amazon. I will keep you posted.

I was not going to post this message until a little closer to the availability of the book, but because of the timeliness of the Virginia Tech shootings, I decided to post this. The Reluctant Shepherd is the story of a young boy that asks "why?" throughout his life of struggling and living through Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents, and losing loved ones. The novel also explores the answer that he gets.

If anyone wants to make comments on any of the posts, please feel free to post messages under new posts.