Understanding a Watchful God

Few things are sadder than the fact that as many as 40,000 children around the world die every day from malnourishment. The empathy evoked in some provides the motivation for them to pour their heart out in the service of others. In the book “The Case for Faith” by Lee Strobel, the description of a picture of an African mother looking skyward for rain, while carrying the lifeless body of her child, is a valid reflection of the degree of sufferings in many places. It was stated in the book that humans perplexed by the inability or unwillingness of God to intervene lack the wisdom to understand the ultimate goodness that will come out from such tragedies. It is so hard to fathom God’s inaction.

I guess, instead of asking, “Why does God permit sufferings on earth?” the right question to ask should be “How, in the name of God, do we alleviate the sufferings of others?” Just like if a fire break out in a room, the first thing on our mind will not be on why the fire started, but instead finding out how to get ourselves and others out of the room safely. For now, the ‘why’ question can wait. Time for action though!

I had a consultation with my ENT surgeon recently and when he saw me holding the book, we got into a discussion (at the expense of another patient’s waiting time!) on faith and where faith in the Lord will lead us to. The surgeon drew comparison on how trying to understand God likens to that of a person living in the realm of 3-D trying to imagine and understand how living in a 4-D (or above) world is like. This reminded me of a story I read which described the lives of line figures in a 2-D world. While we can clearly see the line figures’ lives panned out on a page, they have totally no idea or capability to comprehend that we are watching them.

I guess we just need to have the strong faith always that God is definitely watching over us, with or beyond reasons. The door to a higher realm is definitely very welcoming!

Anticipation

I am writing on the night before an operation on my nose. Tomorrow, I will be undergoing the second operation in as many years to clear blockages in my airway. I have nothing much to worry about tomorrow's operation, given that the first was relatively pain-free and the surgeon has promised that this operation will definitely take lesser time than the previous one.

On a reflective night, I am just anticipating: Anticipating how it will feel like to be breathing normally. Anticipating on whether the air will smell nicer with a clear airway. Anticipating how the aftermath of 7 hours of good and uninterrupted sleep will feel like. Anticipating how much more I can contribute to do God's work with renewed energy and vigour.

Matthew 25:40 "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Lord, please grant me the strength to do work that delights and glorifies you.