"Why Did This Happen?"

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.  “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”

John 9:1-2 

Have you ever noticed that when things are good, we never ask God "Why is this happening"?  But let something not-so-good happen and we cry out "Why Did This Happen?" There are those who will tell you that things will always be prosperity and happiness as long as you are "in God's good graces" and if things are not going well for you it's because you lack faith.

Look at today's passage...Jesus and his Disciples saw a man who had been blind since birth.  The Disciples asked, "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that cause him to be born blind?" Why did they ask this? Because that's what they had been taught!  If you are good, good things will happen to you.  If bad things happen, it's because God is not happy with you.  And here's the part that is frightening...we believe God is really that fickle!  We forget the part about God is love and loves us.  We forget that God is constant!

My favorite part of this passage is verse 3 where Jesus tells the Disciples: "It was not because of his sins nor his parents' sins, but that the POWER of God could be seen."  When bad things happen to us, it isn't because of our sins. God is the one with the power over everything and every circumstance.  Sometimes He allows us to endure bad times because He wants to show others through us that He has the power to handle every single thing!

Fired Tested

This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold—gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away—and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  
1 Peter 1:6-7 

Ever have one of the "Tested By Fire" days?  You know the ones.  The ones where, if it can go wrong.....it will not only go wrong, but it will explode in your face.  The ones where you wish you actually a Star Trek Transporter to get you away from everything and every one?  The ones where you are just so exhausted and angry that you are about half a heartbeat from becoming a news story?  

How about the days when everything you had planned for, worked for, prayed for, hoped for, and sacrificed in order to achieve has just come crashing down around you?  Perhaps not all at once, but, much like dominoes, the crash is eminent.  Or perhaps that very dream you have invested yourself into achieving is given to someone else or perhaps even you to do the work but others are given the credit?

The examples of being tested by fire are endless.  The "WHY ME GOD!" moments in life!

Gold is tested by fire to remove impurities, yet Peter is reminding us that, as valuable as gold is, we are even MORE valuable to God! And while we are being tested by fire, it is not to punish us, it is to purify us.  Think about this:  When we are under stress (tested by fire) how do we react?  I admit I lose my cool more than I care to admit.  But I am learning.

God allows us to be tested in order to reach us, teach us, or example us to others!

I am learning, ever so slowly and stubbornly, that when God wants my attention, He's going to do WHATEVER it takes to get it!  The best thing I can do is listen!