This new year, I resolve...

The new year is a time for resolutions. We resolve to get physically fit—to exercise, and to lose weight. We resolve to become spiritually fit—to return to a church community, to restore a daily devotion, or to pray more regularly. And for some, resolutions are made to search for life’s meaning and purpose— to search for answers to some of life’s difficult questions:

 Why does God allow suffering?

Why do bad things happen to good people?

What about the tribes of Africa who have no access to a Bible—how can they respond to the gospel message?  

 Admittedly, these are difficult questions, for which there are no easy answers. I never want to trivialize the questions asked—they often come from a wounded heart. And of course, I too have struggled with them during my own faith journey. Maybe someone reading this blog is currently wrestling with an issue and searching for answers. People deserve to be heard and have their questions respected. And yet, sometimes it is inappropriate to give a long-winded response. Is there a short but sufficient response? Is there a response that I myself can recall during my own valleys of doubt? In the 1800’s Charles H. Spurgeon offered this:

“God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”

I have resolved to live by this sentiment.

 I know God’s goodness. I have received it through His mercy when I have not deserved it. I have witnessed it through the beauty of this world. And each day I can see His goodness as I hold my beautiful grandson.

 I know God’s wisdom. He had a plan from the beginning to restore a relationship between Himself and all who choose to believe. And each day He makes available wise counsel from His Word to direct me to righteousness. When I have trusted His wisdom, I have experienced peace.

 It is true—I cannot always trace His hand. I cannot always understand the whys presented in this world, but I can and will trust His heart. After all, He loved me enough to send His Son to die for me, so that I can have eternal life. Only a heart of love could do that.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16