The Mystery of God

I've met many people in the journey of ministry that desire to have answers for everything or most things. I am sure that most of us all desire to have an explanation.

I find that in all of us we often ask the question, "Why?"

Why would God allow this to happen?

Why would that person die?

Why would He allow this natural disaster to occur?

Why would this good person get such a terrible illness?

Why would they get pregnant?

Why would they abandon us?

Why, why, why?

We want answers. Maybe we even demand answers from God. We need to know why something happened. It just doesn't make sense why a good God would allow this to happen.

I'm sure you've thought of this. Most do.

Let me ask you this question, why do you need an answer so badly? Is it because a reason will help you feel better? Would an answer help you to have more control of this situation because you had no control over the outcome?

We naturally desire some sense of control. I certainly need control. If I don't have some sense of control then that is where my anxiety kicks in. I get it.

Yet, we aren't given answers or explanations most of the time. I suppose over time things start to make sense. I have had many times like that, but I've also had many where nothing made sense even after years going by.

I find this is where people get hung up on really wanting to accept Jesus into their heart and allowing Him to be the center of their lives. If they don't have answers or factual explanations, then they can't follow a God like mine. They choose science, opinions, fame, money, relationships or whatever they can find to try and fill the void in their lives. The place where God is supposed to be.

This is where I wrestle often in my relationship with God and in ministry. How do I, the person who has known Jesus my whole life, explain to people that following Jesus will require mystery? That most of who God is, is a mystery. He can't fully be explained. Following Jesus requires faith. His ways aren't always made clear to us. He is God and we are not. Taking a risk to follow Christ is accepting that there will be a lot unknowns.

Mystery is intriguing. It makes me want to learn more and yearn more after God. I enjoy this mystery. I enjoy discovering new parts of His heart. If we all knew everything, there would be no need for God. No need for trust or faith. We would have all we "need" and no room for God.

In God's ministry that I've journeyed on, I've learned that my only answer to all their questions is, "I don't know. It's the mystery of God." We have to be okay with not knowing everything. We have to take a risk to follow a loving Father who purposely doesn't allow us to know all things.

God doesn't enjoy seeing us suffer or watching us go through heavy trials. He weeps with us just like He did when Jesus was walking with everyday people like us. God's heart is naturally inclined to love us deeply with an everlasting mercy. Yes, He is a God of justice, but He is equally a God of deep, compassionate love.

For this reason we cry "Abba, Father" like Jesus did in the Garden Gethsemane. We trust Him with our lives, even all the parts we don't have control over. We surrender to His direction even in the unknown that is terrifying. We place our hands in His as we walk on this journey of life. We choose to be devoted to Him even with no answers or explanations.

I chose to follow Jesus because without Him, I have no hope or purpose. I have nothing without Him. I have tried to gain pleasure from worldly things but nothing satisfied me.

I chose Jesus even without all the answers. Will you choose to trust Him today even with all the mystery and unanswerable questions?

You won't regret it. Nothing about it will be easy, but surely we need a Savior who is unlike anything in this world. Even an amazing dad can't compare to God. He surpasses all goodness that we get a taste of. He is faithful and worthy of being trusted.

Will you choose to trust Him today?