There is a freedom in not having all the answers.
There is a peace in not having to explain.
Early on in my ministry career I felt like I needed to have all the answers - not in arrogant "I have all the answers" way - but in a compassionate "I can say the right thing to get you through this struggle" sort of way.
Part of this was the feeling that I needed to defend God so that following Jesus made sense.
And then I realized several things.
First, God doesn’t need me to defend him.
Second, following Jesus, more often than not, doesn’t make sense.
And when I figured out that it was OK to question, OK to be angry at God, OK to tell someone: "You’re right, the pain you feel does suck." (By the way I use the word "suck" as an expression of something devoid of life and breath, something that is nonsensical - the absence of being filled - as in sucked the life right out).
8 Responses to “No Easy Answers”
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December 4th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Your post reminds me that Jesus never promised us escape from the things that suck (what you said - “By the way I use the word “suck” as an expression of something devoid of life and breath, something that is nonsensical - the absence of being filled - as in sucked the life right out.”) but rather he would be with us through the Holy Spirit and ultimately we will prevail in his victory on the Cross.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:48 am
I agree, though I use the word “suck” to mean something I do to a straw embedded in a soda or, preferrably, a milk shake.
December 4th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
i struggle with the need to say something helpful at the right moment; part of this is because i am not physically demonstrative with very many people. i’m learning the act of reaching out to put my hand on their arm or shoulder.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
My mom sells vacuums and her job really does “suck.” I couldn’t resist.
Seriously, discovering the freedom that you talked about was one of the the greatest feelings in my life. I don’t have to know it all! Praise God.
December 5th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Okay, I will get you a copy of Questions and Answers Open Forum by Guy Woods so you can get over this existential, subjective situation you find yourself in.
I think you would find this blog entry, The Comforts of Biblical Literalism, interesting and helpful on this topic.
http://tinyurl.com/2pxbrk
Peace.
December 5th, 2007 at 7:06 am
Well, the condensed URL I created doesn’t seem to want to work. Here is URL string.
http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2007/11/death-and-doctrine-part-5-cowardice-of.html
December 5th, 2007 at 7:35 am
A hearty Amen and Amen from this corner. I frequently use the word “suck” to describe situations that suck!
December 5th, 2007 at 8:34 am
Kind of ironic that you felt compelled to qualify the use of the word suck in this post. Sometimes life here on Earth truly does suck, even in the worst sense of the word. I would think the Creator understands that. A reason for our hope beyond this world.