When something tragic happens we more often than not ask the question why?
There have been countless times in our journey when we ask the same question of Nathanael’s life changing accident.
Last year a Christian family from Croydon experienced the death of their 15 year old daughter. Eliyanna Adnam was stabbed to death as she got off the bus to school.
The family said “Eliyanna was a beautiful person inside and out who loved Jesus. She was intelligent, thoughtful, kind and had a bright future ahead.”
A friend of the family said the couple hosted weekly Bible Study groups in their Croydon home. “They are the kindest people you could ever come across,” she said.
WHY?
No-one can really answer the question why? and no answer will ever fully satisfy.
From a Christian perspective we know that we are all fallen human beings and we do things that are in opposition to God’s will.
Eliyanna’s parents said "Our hearts are broken and we are overwhelmed by sorrow and grief. Our faith in the Lord is strengthening us”.
Some people say that time is a healer. There may be some truth in that, however the ‘why’ question still rings loud for many even years later. Even Jesus asks the ‘why’ question. “My God, My God why have you forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46
The psalmist asks “Why, my soul, are you downcast?Why so disturbed within me?“ Psalm 42:11a
The answer to his ‘why’ is found in the rest of the verse… “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11b
When you’re struggling deeply with a life changing situation as Eliyanna’s parents found themselves and as we found ourselves in, it is hard to get away from questioning. Yes, we can hope in God, yes, we can praise Him, even though that will be so difficult in the earliest days of bereavement. But the why will never fade.
The why of Nathanael’s horrific accident will be with us until we reach the end of this life.
Traumatic things happen in this life. They happen everywhere in this world, in our own city’s, none are immune. These happenings make us question and ask ‘why’?
God may never answer our why’s. The sad thing is, is that many people turn away from wanting to know a God who both allows horrific things to happen and at the same time gives no valid reason for them happening.
I have no easy answers for people who want the ‘why’ question answered and we should not try to give simple pat answers.
But the reality is that if we live life constantly asking ‘why’ we are probably going to end up sad, bitter, hopeless and ultimately without God. When God is in focus, we can know something of the past, the present and the future.
The Bible says that He is the first and the last. He is the God who was and is and is to come Rev 1:8. We don’t know the why of Nathanael’s tragic accident and Eliyanna’s parents don’t know the why of their daughters horrific death. But we both know that one day our children will be made completely whole and will have eternal life, life in abundance as Jesus promised in John 10:10.
For those of us who have suffered terrible things we can look forward to the abundance of life that Jesus promises only when He returns and makes all things new. Then I’m sure our why’s will all make sense.
Prayer - Father, You are the God who knows all things. We know and understand so little. Please help us as frail humans beings. Help us in our why’s, with our doubts. May we find the hope that we need in the midst of trials and tribulations. Amen.
This was Lyn by the way, { it will only publish as a guest for me}
Another question is WHEN Lord ? Sometimes I believe we really aren’t supposed to know God is God, and hard as it is, Her just wants us to trust and obey. 2 Corinthians: 5-7. For we live by faith and not by sight. Thank you Alan for your thoughts.