Why Did God Allow This?…& a Link Up!

I had no plans of writing this post because I felt like I had no words of comfort to extend to those who experienced the horrific acts that happened in Connecticut this past Friday.

I didn’t know one person who was affected by the  recent evil that took place.  They, being on the East coast living in Connecticut and me, residing on the west coast of Southern California.  We were two worlds apart.  But regardless of our physical residence, my heart hurt and I grieved for them.  Yet, I couldn’t offer them any amount of assistance.  I couldn’t bring their child or loved one back.  I couldn’t do a thing to help them during this difficult time of their lives; a time when they’re preparing Christmas memories for their little ones, but now they’re the ones who will have the Christmas memories…but there’s will always be with a ripped out heart.

Even though I had nothing to say and nothing to give, God kept prompting my heart to write.

So I kept leaning into Him asking what was it that He wanted me to share.  Since compassion, empathy, and soothing words offered is not an area where He has gifted me, I pushed this assignment away expecting God to use someone else more suitable for this high calling.  Someone like Ann Voskamp whose words bleed the heart of our Father.

And then He started to unfold His mission for me.

This is what He said,

“Teach them my Word, Daughter, because that is how I use you as my vessel.

My words of Life will bring comfort so you don’t need to worry about your words,” He said.

So, with a feeble attempt, I’m answering His call.

The first question came from my own son,

“Why did God allow this to happen?”

More questions were found on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and blogs.

“Why?”

Because of the evil that is in this world.

One would think that young children would be safe in a public school…in America! But we’ve seen the past.  Columbine.  Virginia Tech.  The recent shootings in a Colorado theatre.  911.

There’s evil in this world and it shows no partiality.

 So back to the question.

“Why did God allow this to happen?”

Let me take you back to the Garden of Eden where God gave Adam and Eve free will. He told them not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:17) but they didn’t obey the ‘Great I Am’.  As a consequence to their rebellion, they were cast out of the Garden.

Because of this sin, disease, dying, and death are now a part of their world (and ours).*

Before the Garden of Eden incident, Satan, who was once a mighty angel, rebelled against God because he wanted to be like Him.

I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.  Isaiah 14:14

Because of this, God threw Lucifer out of heaven.  What the Lord did back in the Garden was He was trying to keep Adam and Eve safe, however, they had limited understanding.  They couldn’t see the bigger picture.  The Most High God knew that Satan comes like a thief in the night seeking whom he can devour. Our all-knowing and loving God was wanting to keep His children safe from the Enemy.

But God gave us free will and we chose our own way.

Satan is known as the ruler of this world.  He shapes opinions, he influences ideals, goals, and views on the majority of people.  Many of this world are under his control as they embrace his lies and deception rather than embracing Truth, which is Jesus Christ.

The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.  Revelation 12:9

But Satan only has dominion over the unbeliever, not the Believer.

We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.  1 John 5:19

Maybe you just happened to stumble on this blog and you don’t know Jesus.  And you’re questioning.  You’re fearful.  You’re hurting.  Come closer, friend, because this man that we call Jesus, Savior, and the Messiah, He’s also known as the Comforter.  If you’d like to have a relationship with Him, just click here to find out more.

If you know Christ but this incident has caused you to question your faith or perhaps it’s riddled you with fear, let me remind you that God’s Word will not pass away and it will not return void, meaning you can stand on His promises.  As Believers in Christ Jesus we don’t have to choose to live in fear.  We can set our minds on Jesus Christ.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 2:17

Be on guard and be mindful of the fact that we are in a spiritual battle.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Eph. 6:12,13

Where ever you may be in your walk with the Lord, I want to bring this heralding call from Above to your attention because this is what our world needs…

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.  We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.  2 Cor. 4:6-7

It’s okay to be a fragile clay jar or even a cracked pot because that’s when Christ’s light shines out the most!

Be a Light-Bearer to a dark world.

While in church this morning my Pastor shared his words on the Connecticut massacre with our fellowship and I thought I’d share them with you as well.

The kind of senseless violence that occurred in an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut is heartbreaking and troubling to us, and to so many. Our hearts are torn to hear of children dying and the pain the parents and loved ones will endure over such an evil act. There is no understanding such a thing outside of the bible’s clear message of the evil of human nature. The bible states that man is by nature sinful, and we have seen the evidence in the massacre of the children and teachers who perished at the hands of a man that made evil visible.

Some ask: where was God? In a society that has systematically asked Him to leave, such a question should not be necessary. We have long asked Him to vacate the public square, kicking Him out of schools, mocking Him in our education, movies, literature, politics, late night monologues, and music. We have cities that have forbidden manger scenes in the public square, school districts that have renamed traditional holidays like Christmas and Easter- winter break and spring break, have renamed Christmas trees- holiday trees and have companies that instruct employees not to say Merry Christmas, and yet we wonder where God was? In a culture that rejects God it is no wonder when people live as if He does not exist.

God showed up. He was there guiding the teachers to protect the children, there with the brave police officers who came to the children’s rescue not knowing if there were many gunmen, there in the emergency personnel rushed to the scene to care for any wounded, and is revealing His presence in the prayer meetings being held in the city’s churches and the sorrow and prayer that is being lifted up throughout our country these last few days.

May the Lord somehow use His children as His vessels to bring comfort to the broken families, and may we be moved to encourage people who do not know Him to turn to Him, in these last days.

~Pastor David Rosales, Calvary Chapel Chino Valley

Let us weep with those who weep.  Romans 12:15

Live a poured out life for Christ,

* I am not claiming to know the shooter’s personal situation.  I do not know if he had a history of mental illness, nor do I understand what mental illness or the drugs prescribed can do to a person.

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I’m linking up with:  The Better Mom, Create with Joy, and Time Warp Wife.

Now bloggers, it’s time to link up your posts! I’m looking for posts on any and all things related to being a wife, i.e. homemaking ideas, ways you minister to your husband, dating ideas, and/or hearing what the Lord is telling you about your most important earthly relationship!

Link back to this community, either by using the button below or a text link.  Link to your actual “Marital Oneness Mondays” post, not just your general blog address–that way if readers come by later in the week, they can click your relevant post.