Why, God? Why do people get cancer? Why are there natural disasters? Why are families broken? Why can’t I get the job I want? Why didn’t I get into my dream school? Why did my friend betray me? Why am I always alone?
There are so many why questions when it comes to the way the Lord works. The one that haunts me the most here is… “why wasn’t I rescued sooner?”
Sometimes I think I can explain away all of the other why questions with phrases like “He is building you up” or “He has something better for you”. While those things may be true, when a victim asks you “why wasn’t I rescued sooner?”, no explanation is sufficient and all I find myself left with is “I don’t know”.
I am learning to find peace in surrendering to the things I don’t know about the Lord (and there are so many). Instead, I’m focusing on leaning into the things that I do know.
I know that His ways are higher. I know that He is always good. I know that He works all things for my good. I know that He sees in full when I only see in part. I know that He calls me his daughter. I know that He has purposed my life. I know that He loves me.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will come to me and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back from captivity.”
Jeremiah 29:11-14
