Answering Hard Questions

Before I begin, if you receive this from an email or social media, I recently updated the blog look and I’d love for you to check it out. Everything about what I do revolves around surrender. My heart is to encourage you to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and—maybe one day—the chocolate. Although I’ve yet to give up chocolate, I am better about consuming it 24/7. I think the blog appearance showcases my heart, and the content, what I do. Check it out!

***

You don’t have to be a sports fan to know the name Kobe Bryant and all he accomplished on the court. Although I haven’t followed basketball as closely as I did in high school (my yearbook says I was going to own the Celtics,) I was stunned to read of the helicopter crash that killed nine people, including him and his teen daughter.

I recently read an article that I wish I could remember who wrote that explained in loss as unfathomable as this, we unite. It makes no sense, and it’s under horrible circumstances, but the division between us pauses and we grieve as one. I remember that with 9/11 as well.

I also observed something else. It’s true for me, perhaps for you, too.

Those that make fun of my faith in Christ are the first to talk to me in devastating situations.

I am the one they call and ask if I would pray for them regarding a medical situation or financial issue.

When they are handed a blow they never saw coming, they reach out to me.

I remember receiving a call after 9/11. It was from someone who didn’t openly mock me to my face, but made it clear I wasn’t ever going to be part of her circle because our lifestyles were so different. I was aware, thanks to others who also made sure, that although they were invited to events, I wasn’t. And we all knew why. I was associated with Jesus.

As awful as rejection feels, I recall it paled to the genuine fear I could hear when each of those people later came to me for prayer and to talk their feelings out. They asked hard questions. Why does God allow children to perish? How come there’s so much devastation around us? Doesn’t God care?

It’s a shared moment. I grieve right with them. Any wisdom you see in me is a download from heaven above. I ask a lot of questions too. I don’t understand. We faced the potential loss of our baby. She’s 16. I’ve attended a child’s funeral and I ask God often why wasn’t that child spared? I don’t get it. And my finite mind can’t process what the infinite mind and heart of God can.

I do know this. We live in a fallen world. We gloss over Adam and Eve’s story because we’ve heard it so often, but the consequences are there. Life is going to be hard, devastating, and unfair.

I also know that anything awful and evil has to get God’s approval. And I know His heart enough to know there is no rejoicing in that. He had to send His own Son on a death mission for our sake, so He does not relish our grief. But. But. He will use it. We may never know during our brief stay on this planet the impact those things had in moving the kingdom of God forward. But His word promises what was meant for evil will be used for good.

I know those answers sound hollow in adversity. But that’s where I can invite you to trust with me. If I’m the one you’re reaching out to because of my faith, what’s the harm in taking that leap with me? Does my friendship with Jesus give me a pass on hard times? Nope. I can’t tell you the tears I’ve cried and betrayal I’ve faced.

But I can tell you I walk in peace that no man, bottle, food, check, pill, car, or home could ever give.

Julie Arduini

And that peace came from admitting I was a screw-up and that I couldn’t get out of any of it on my own. I confessed that I believed in what I’d heard and read in the Bible that Jesus is the Son of God. He was here on Earth. He lived a perfect life as man. And he was crucified not because He was guilty of a crime, but He was the only way, the sacrifice that bridged Adam and Eve and everything after to eternity. I can give a million dollars every day and it still doesn’t earn my way to heaven, because heaven isn’t a factory. Heaven is real, and it’s a gift.

But you have to choose it by choosing Him.

When you’ve taken that last breath, you won’t be asked how much money you gave, how many grandmothers you helped cross a street. You won’t be asked about your resume and how you treated your spouse. You won’t even be asked about your church attendance, Bible skills, or what church you attended.

But you will be asked one question.

Do you know Him?

Not do you know Jesus in a way you knew Kobe, or Harry Styles or your favorite president. Those people you admired and knew of, but you did not KNOW them. They aren’t part of your daily life in a mutual relationship.

That’s all that’s asked of you for your entrance to heaven. Sure, how you treated others and other aspects of your life I think play a part in your eternal blessings, but the peace I have that helps me put one foot in front of the other when my heart is breaking is because I know Jesus.

I wish I had all the answers. I wish I could take away the pain people share with me, and like I said, most often the ones who come first in adversity are the very ones who usually avoid me in the day-to-day. I wish I could convey how loved you are, how you will never reach that perfect day when you think then you can address Your Heavenly Father through Christ but that His arms are open to receive your mess because He took all our stuff because we never could. I wish I could get it through to the world we are not promised tomorrow. Life is precious Life is fleeting.

If you aren’t sure about it, I get it. Truth? I used to be one of the ones that made fun of those who knew Jesus. And over the years I’ve realized it isn’t about the religion, it’s about the relationship. He truly is my friend. And to learn more and see for yourself, find a Bible or Bible app (I use YouVersion) and read the book of John. One chapter a day for a month. Ask Jesus the hard questions. That He show Himself to you. His shoulders can handle it.

And your eternity depends on it.

***

Match Made in Heaven was the first book I wrote as a new beleiver in Christ. In it I cover through fiction and romance the struggles that come, and the blessings that are true when we invite Jesus into our daily lives.

Pixabay images