How Could God Let This Happen, God’s Will be done!
Recently, I have had many questions about God’s will. I cringe when people say, “I am praying to accept God’s will.” Like God is testing us by having bad things happen in our lives. Jesus taught us to pray, God’s will be done. Not help us to accept that will. So, why the confusion?
There are many theories about this. Again, this is based in theories and broad generalizations and not a much longer thesis. One is that God is like a watch maker and sets the world/clock in motion and lets it run. God is present, yet not meddling. My problem with this theory is it discounts any ability for a miracle and I have seen miracles. The opposite end of the spectrum is that we are all predestined. What we do is predetermined and we are basically actors in God’s plan. In this theory, my brain goes, why bother, if it is all predetermined, why work at it, I AM DONE. I will just do what I want as the outcome with be the same. Sort of fits with the protestant idea that once we are saved we have it made and are assured of entrance into heaven.
We will obviously not have these answers till after we have left this world.
I have worked it out God’s will as follows.
We are all called and created to do God’s will. We do God’s will when we act as God taught us. When we care for each other, care for those in need, provide for the less fortunate, we are doing God’s will. To put it another way, when we work building the Kingdom of God or work to strengthen the Body of Christ, we are doing God’s will.
If God saved us form all bad things and this life was perfect, what would be the point. For me it is a plan beyond comprehension. How could God create a world that he would then have to send his son into the world to be killed! The icing on that cake for me, killed by those he was trying to save. I hope to have a chat with St. Peter about this someday, hopefully not soon. And if I don’t like the answer, I will ask for his supervisor.
For now, this mystery is at the core of our faith. We proclaim the mystery of faith every day at Mass. Once we accept that fact that our very existence and our faith is based in mysteries beyond comprehension, it actually helps. From our earliest days we have tried to grasp the reality and the whys of our relationship with God. The Pentateuch is filled with stories working to explain this reality or answer these whys. Philosophers still grapple with these questions. Scientists, keep hoping to find that missing piece of the puzzle. I believe science and religion are coming closer together in many ways. That said, again it is faith that they are looking for.
Finally
Through the doubts and crises of faith that I have had, I really don’t doubt my beliefs much anymore. But it was a very painful process to get to where I am. It is hard to get away from the whys and transition to how can I bring God into this situation. How can I be God’s healing presence. How am I the light of Christ in each situation I encounter. That is when we are living God’s will.
I can’t see how a loving God could call a child to heaven in 8th grade. I do see a God that asks us to be the sanctifying force in those situations.
Bringing this all together, God’s will is what we are called to do, not what God does to us.
Very good explanation, that even I could understand.
Beyond comprehension is right… and yet, that is what brings us closer to Him. The faith that, even when things happen in this world that we cannot begin to understand, we are called to be Christ’s presence to those who are suffering, compassionate and suffering alongside, with them. Thank you, Father, for your words.