Why?

When you look at the hardships in this life, sometimes I think that it is amazing that any one of us survive. I went to a conference this week on Child Abuse Prevention, and the stories I head were just gut wrenching to say the least. I listened to people talk about thier worst fears realized and others telling the stories of countless others whos worst fears were realized. And I stare at them amazed, they are so real, so raw. And yet they are so complete. You can see that despite the horrific traumas they endured, they are somehow better for it. God somehow did what he said he would do, imagine that. He made all things work together for these people, the good and the bad, all to the glory of him. The two women I watched speak were equally amazing.

But...they are not the people that break my heart. They are not the rule. They are the exception. They are women who took what hapened to them, and somehow rose above, amazingly resiliant, and blessed. But...what about all the others. The others who were abused or mistreated and fall into lives of drugs, or sex, or pornography, or abusive relationships, etc, etc, etc. What about all these other people? Why is it that some are able to overcome and others are stuck in lives of repeating the same patterns, even though deep down inside they desperately long to get out?

I don't know that I will ever have the answer to this question, other than knowing that God is good. And I know that he is good, and he ultimatelly has an intricate plan weaving together that is much too complex for my tiny mind.

I do know this though. I know that God made people who care. I know that God made people who will never give up on others. Who despite all odds care about hurting people, and who will gently guide and lead them to true freedom which comes only from Christ.

I wrestle often with what my calling is on this earth, should I do this or should I do that? But ultimately, I know what my calling is, to Love God with all my heart-soul-and mind, and to love others with that crazy God love that he loves me with. Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, we can all rest assured that this is our calling. So...in the words of one of my favorite songs I will say that in Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song. He and he alone commands my destiny. No power of hell, or scheme of man, could ever pluck me or any of his beloved children from his hand. And till he returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I stand.