Where can you find God in tragedies? Seems like a fair question right? Especially when it seems like tragedies are falling one after another. Like never ending dominos.
With national fame in Opioid overdose deaths, devastating Memorial Day tornadoes and most recently, a deadly mass shooting, people are asking: What in the world is going on in Dayton, Ohio?
Additionally, I hear those two dreaded questions…the ones, we in the Christian faith struggle to answer…and sometimes even haunt us: Why does God let terrible things happen? Where is God in the midst of tragedies?
My answer to the first gets theological. It involves the Sovereign will of God, His greater purpose, and the assurance that God causes all things to work together for good. All scripturally sound teaching.
But not much help to victims and grieving families. Offering loving compassion and support is a better approach.
And while I struggle with the “why” I have no doubt on “where” you’ll find God in tragedies.
You’ll Find God In Tragedies Present In The Hearts Of His People
Usually when people ask where God is during tragic events, they look for a big, dramatic appearance. Yes, God has and does show up dramatically, but not always.
When ancient Israel was pinned against the Red Sea as an Egyptian army approached, God miraculously parted the waters for their escape. A big, dramatic, miraculous act of God.
Hollywood even made a movie about it!
But thousands of years later, the same group of people…millions of them…suffered the Holocaust. God intervened on one occasion, but not the other. And that’s puzzling.
There is one place, however where God is always present. And that’s in the hearts of people who personally invite Him into their life. That’s where His greatest transforming work is done. Starting individually and then expanding corporately through the church.
You’ll Find God In Tragedies Most Commonly Acts Through His People
God’s transforming work in His followers motivates them to pursue Him in relationship and obey His teachings. Not because they have to, but want to. Demonstrating their love for God through acts of service.
In general life and in the midst of tragedies, God’s people offer multiple acts of service, often quietly, individually and inconspicuously. And in more significant ways through organized church endeavors.
As a result, thousands of small, ordinary miracles are weaved into a blanket of God’s love. It’s how God best presents Himself.
But you have to pay
attention. Because this faithful activity regularly misses the news. And yet,
through it God’s presence is visibly demonstrated.
Of course, others who may not consider themselves Christ followers participate in community service too. But followers do so specifically in the name of Jesus and for the glory of God.
You’ll Find God In Tragedies Presents Remedies That Offer A Personal Response
So why does it seem
like God’s presence in the world is growing more remote?
Because God indwells only those who personally respond and invite Him into their lives. It’s where God always starts. And when you do, you’ll always know where He is. Where you’ll always find God in tragedies.
But it requires a
heart and soul commitment that a shrinking number of people choose to make. It’s much easier and convenient to clamor for a solution. To expect someone else to fix the problem.
But when I
personally respond to God, He compels me to BE part of the solution. To partner
in His work so He accomplishes it, in and through me. To engage rather than
demand.
This is part of God’s
greater purpose for all of us. And where His presence in Dayton and beyond will be unmistakable and
complete.
The Biblical story of Noah’s Ark in Genesis is more than a children’s Bible lesson.
It’s also mentioned in eight other books of the Bible, which includes Jesus describing it as a real event.
Here are four lessons the story of Noah’s Ark has for all of us.
THE BIBLICAL STORY OF NOAH’S ARK REVEALS THE CHARACTER OF GOD
It’s affirmed throughout the Bible. God is love.
But if you stop there…focus only on God’s love…the story of Noah’s Ark is puzzling. Because the next obvious question is…
How can a loving God
simply wipe people off the face of the earth? How can a loving God send people
to hell?
To make sense of it you have to understand that God is also…
HOLY, RIGHTEOUS & JUST
Since God grants us free will, we get to make our own decisions. And bad decisions lead to bad behavior. Even to a level of evil. Scripture calls this sin and says we’re all perpetrators at some level.
God lets us carry on with sinful behavior for a season—which we’re in right now—but not forever.
Because God is holy and just, He eventually deals with sin and judges with perfect fairness. But because of His love, He wants to spare us. Therefore He…
Makes a provision
Noah’s ark was God’s provisional flood escape plan. While building it, Noah warned everyone about the coming disaster so they had the same opportunity for escape. But they refused to listen and respond.
And Jesus Christ represents God’s eternal provision today—for those who listen and respond.
THE BIBLICAL STORY OF NOAH’S ARK PUSHES AGAINST SOCIAL CONVENTIONS
God tells Noah to build an ark and provides instructions.
And Noah builds it all the while proclaiming the coming flood. The first religious nutcase! Especially considering the word “flood” wasn’t even in the ancient parchment dictionary.
You can imagine the laughter. The ridicule. The late night monologue jokes.
Had it been today, Noah wouldn’t make it past the city
building permit.
But Noah persevered. Ignoring popular opinion. Pushing
against the culture. Perhaps feeling alone and isolated.
And thousands of years later, Jesus did likewise. Hanging out with social outcasts and infuriating the religious elite by healing people on the Sabbath. Not breaking the command itself, but the extra rules the religious leaders unfairly piled on top of it.
The point is, when you strive to honor God and pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ, you’ll stand out in the crowd. Push against the culture. And the drivers of the popular culture may snub you in return. Ridicule you. Maybe worse.
And rather than assuring complete protection, Jesus simply says to deny yourself and follow him. No wonder the number of Jesus followers keeps dwindling.
THE BIBLICAL STORY OF NOAH’S ARK TELLS US GOD PRESENTS GOD SIZE PROJECTS
Did God really have to make Noah take all the animals with
him? What about herding them up the side of a mountain and stopping the water
below them rather than cover the entire earth?
Then Noah could build a much smaller boat. One just big enough for his family, pack a little food and call it a two-week vacation cruise.
Instead God tells Noah to build a massive ark that takes 120 years to complete. Then he’s cramped up with a load of smelly animals he has to care for and surrounded by water for a year…without a hot shower.
Who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor?
The point being, God gives Noah a job so big he has to rely on God to accomplish it.
Why?
Because had Noah succeeded on his own he would have taken the credit for it. The same is true for us. God gives us arks to complete that require His help so we give Him the appropriate recognition and glory.
THE BIBLICAL STORY OF NOAH’S ARK TELLS US WHEN GOD GIVES A BIG ASSIGNMENT HE PROVIDES THE RESOURCES AND WE PROVIDE FAITHFULNESS
God could have delivered the ark to Noah assembled and ready to go. But He didn’t. Or make it more bite size, more manageable for Noah to accomplish. Not that either.
In fact, God didn’t need Noah at all. He could have created someone new and improved with the snap of His fingers.
What Noah DID provide was faithfulness in pursuing a life God approved of and in following God’s command.
And it teaches us something else about God.
Not only does God love and provide for us, He invites us into
His work. We don’t have to. We’re not doing Him a favor by participating. But
when we do, we’re the ones that are blessed. Go figure, right?
You see faith is never merely passive belief. As James says, it’s lived out through our actions.
So what’s your ark? What massive spiritual assignment is God handing you? Think it’s too big for God and you to complete? Or is perhaps, your faithfulness to and view of God too small?
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
Looking for a Bible Study for yourself or small group??
Looking for a quick, humorous book to read? I think you’ll find that my Christian detective novel, Soul Pursuitis fast-paced, entertaining and inspirational. Here’s a funny scene from one of the chapters to grab your interest. Check out the five-star reviews on amazon then buy a copy of Soul Pursuit and enjoy reading it yourself.
An Excerpt From Chapter 22 in the Detective Novel Soul Pursuit
Warren looked at Terrence and Jeff with an admonishing frown.
“If you two are finished with your teasing and home spun philosophizing, can we get back to our discussion on the deity of Christ? How can Jesus be fully God and fully man at the same time?”
“Don’t think we’re supposed to understand
it,” said Terrance. “It’s what you call a…uh…a…”
“Paradox,” finished Jeff.
“Yeah. I mean, Jesus was a real person. He
experienced everything we do. What do you think, Jack?” asked Terrence.
I knew he was trying to pull me in, to engage me in a spiritual discussion. But I wasn’t going there. I gave a non-committal shrug.
“But you have an opinion. A worldview. We all do.”
“This is a safe place to explore scripture and ask questions,” said Warren. “We’re all on a spiritual journey and none of us have it all figured out.”
“Okay, since you’re talking about real
people, I do have one question weighing on my mind,” I said.
Warren smiled encouragingly, the paternal,
spiritual father encouraging a toddler to take his first spiritual, baby step.
“Ask away.”
“Did Jesus fart?”
Warren’s smile crumpled into a look of
shock at such sacrilege. Terrance was in mid-drink of coffee and blew it
through his nose as he laughed. Jeff smiled, uncertain where the conversation
was headed, but ready to go with the flow.
“What?”
It caught Warren completely off guard and
the spiritual confidence that had marked his face dissolved into one of holy terror.
It was nice watching someone else squirm for a change so I pressed forward.
“Did Jesus fart?
You know, pass gas, cut the cheese, play the posterior trumpet.”
Warren’s face grew a deep red.
“I…I…don’t see the relevance in that
question.”
“Terrence just said Jesus was fully God
and man. And he shared all our experiences. If so, shouldn’t he break wind like
everyone else? And by the way, if Jesus was perfect, what would a perfect fart
sound like? Or smell like? Don’t give me a churchy, idealized version of God. You
say he’s real. I want to know how real.”
“Jesus was real in every sense of the
word. But this level of vulgarity is not germane to our spiritual discussion.”
Warren was visibly struggling and
reverting to obfuscation to cover his discomfort.
I smiled innocently and shrugged.
“Why not?”
“Wait a minute,” said Terrance.
He was trying to control his laughter and
wiping snot globs of coffee from the table.
“I think Jack has a legitimate point. I
mean, we do talk about the humanity of Jesus, don’t we?”
Warren’s look of discomfort turned to
horror. His friend was turning against him.
“Yes, but—“
“Well, if he’s the God who created smell
in the first place, I’d think he could go either way,” said Jeff.
“Meaning?” asked Terrence.
“Raunchy or sweet.”
“A loud blast or silent but deadly?” I
added.
Crass conversation was in my wheelhouse. Maybe I could get into this accountability thing after all. Terrance had another thought and almost spit out a mouthful of donuts in his haste to share it.
I was warming up to the exchange.
“Hey, maybe that’s part of the story we
missed in the Bible. You know, when Jesus cleared the temple?”
“A holy of holy farts,” said Jeff. “Awesome
in power and mighty to scatter away.”
Jeff and Terrence were both now laughing
so hard they were slapping the table and wiping tears from their eyes. I joined
them along with people in nearby booths who had no idea what was funny, but laughed
because the laughter was infectious.
Warren, however was appalled at such blasphemous
talk.
“This conversation shows an incredible lack of reverence for God. It’s…it’s undignified.”
“Maybe,” said Terrance. “But if Jesus could
control the smell, what does that say about election and free will?”
“And the trinity?” added Jeff. “An
Omnipotent fart to the power of three might evaporate the universe.”
Warren was self-righteously indignant. He closed
his Bible and gathered his notes.
“This Bible Study has downgraded to obnoxious
and is effectively concluded.”
“Okay,” said Terrance. “Then I have a parting
thought.”
We waited expectantly as he stood and
smiled.
“Oh, man. SBD bomb!”
With no further discussion we all left.
Click here to purchase a copy of Soul Pursuit or check out other books by Chip Tudor.
There are visible signs to an uncommon Christian life. Evidence that demonstrates a difference in a good way. Not perfect. But authentic and distinct. Here are just three signs that mark a real follower of Jesus Christ.
AN UNCOMMON CHRISTIAN
LIFE DEMONSTRATES HOLINESS
Stay with me. Biblical holiness is NOT holier than thou. That is actually self-righteousness and was regularly condemned by Jesus as pride in disguise.
In the life of an uncommon Christian, holiness is the pursuit, not the perfection of Godliness. As Paul describes in Philippians 3:12, it’s a goal you consistently strive to attain, but never complete in this life.
What do you mean by holy?
Biblical holiness means to be set apart and dedicated to God. It’s marked more by the desire of your heart than success of your performance. Even so, there is something obviously upright about how an uncommon Christian lives.
Additionally, it’s more than human effort. Scripture teaches that God’s Spirit dwells within and empowers a real follower of Jesus. So an uncommon Christian produces visible, spiritual fruits. (Galatians 5:22-23)
AN UNCOMMON CHRISTIAN
STANDS ON BIBLICAL TRUTH
The Bible claims to be God’s Word and absolute truth. (2
Timothy 3:16-17) It is an either or claim that demands a yes or no conviction.
In a yes response, a real follower of Jesus conforms his/her life to the teachings of scripture and resists fitting it to his/her lifestyle. So there’s an uncompromising, principled quality to an uncommon Christian life.
One that especially stands out in the relative truth, worldview of modern society. Perhaps is even mocked as out of touch with current thought.
AN UNCOMMON CHRISTIAN
MAINTAINS A FORWARD FOCUS
An uncommon Christian has a positive attitude and forward mindset. Because a real follower of Jesus anticipates a secure, heavenly future. Yet, doesn’t disengage from this life.
A real follower of Jesus recognizes the existence of evil without running from it. But rather, ministers through a transforming power that is Christ’s presence in their life. And when followers of Jesus unify as the church, the power is magnified.
Beyond life’s circumstances…
In spite of circumstances, an uncommon Christian possesses the most resilient force on earth…hope! It drives them, defines them and equips them with transcending joy.
Most importantly, an uncommon Christian is product of grace. Not perfectly reflected, but still a glimpse of God’s grace. So a real follower of Jesus shines like a lighthouse in a dark, needy world.
Along with a puzzling plot that you piece together clue by clue, a great mystery novel presents compelling characters.
One of my favorite mystery story characters is Inspector Jacques
Clouseau. I laugh at his zany, slap stick ineptness and yet, he always
successfully solves the mystery I can’t figure out until it’s revealed at the
end.
Here are things for you to consider in creating compelling
characters for your mystery novel.
The Characters In A Great Mystery Novel Are Relatable
You want readers to root for the main character in your mystery. To see themselves in him. So give him traits, problems and challenges like average people. Everyone roots for an underdog. Maybe your mystery novel character is the class nerd who is up against the most popular boy in school.
Perhaps it’s a weakness or fault. Despite his usually good
natured personality, he has a quick temper that gets him into trouble. Or he is
plagued by a weakness like fear of the dark, fear of water or heights. Or maybe
none of this phases him, but he nearly faints at the thought of public
speaking.
Complicate Characters In Your Great Mystery Novel With Paradoxes
Real people are complicated with multiple dimensions that will surprise you. Like the engineer who acts in Shakespeare drama. The construction worker who raises a garden. The assembly-line factory worker who masters crossword puzzles.
Do the same with your characters. A good way is to simply think
opposites. A huge football lineman that enjoys ballet. A seven foot basketball
player who bakes cup cakes. A classic opera singer that plays poker. Even bad
guys aren’t bad all the time. What if the villain in your mystery novel has a
tender heart for puppies and donates generously to an animal shelter?
Create A Character Back Story
The back story in a mystery is represented by the events and experiences in a character’s past that influence their current behavior. They many not actually show up in your mystery novel, but they influence how the character behaves.
Maybe there’s something in that character’s family
history. He’s afraid of the dark because as a child, he was locked in a dark
basement. Or fears water because of nearly drowning.
In my Christian Detective Novel, Soul
Pursuit, the back story of Jack Sterling, the main character is slowly
revealed a little at a time. And it’s all part of his faith
journey that progresses through the book and leads to a point where he’s
confronted with a personal decision.
The back story in your novel can become a mystery itself that you solve as you reveal it a little at a time. A certain, habit. An unusual quirk. And the reason or motivation behind it is revealed slowly through the course of the mystery novel.
As you craft intriguing mysteries and create compelling
characters, your mystery novel will go from good to great.
After you’ve worked out the main plot, consider writing a subplot for your detective novel.
A sub what?
A subplot takes place within the main plot of your detective novel. It’s also called a story thread and story within a story. Subplots are shorter than the main plot. But like the main plot, they tell a story with characters, conflict and resolution.
There’s no rule of thumb on how many subplots to include in
your detective novel. It really depends on how long and how complex of a book
you want to write.
Subplots add texture to your detective novel. They increase drama, add intrigue, misdirection and depth to your book.
Ways To Write A Subplot For Your Detective Novel
There are many uses for subplots. The most obvious, of course, is to make your book longer. Otherwise, not only is your detective novel one dimensional, it may feel too short.
But subplots also accomplish other things. They add dimension and help you develop your characters by putting them into various situations that reveal other sides of their personalities.
You can also use subplots to change the mood and pace of your story. Suppose, for example, you just completed a heart pounding scene in your detective novel where an important character just barely escapes.
Taking readers into a calmer subplot storyline lightens the
mood and lets them catch their emotional breath.
Deciding The Type of Subplot For Your Detective Novel
When considering different types of subplots to use in your detective
novel, think variety. Maybe it’s a physical challenge. While solving the
mystery, your hero also pursues a goal or solves a problem separate from the
mystery.
Let’s say the main character in your mystery is a high school newspaper reporter tracking down the basketball team’s stolen mascot uniform. But his editor also assigns him to write a story on the local dog show. You might intersect the two plots somehow or keep them completely separate.
An internal story
Or maybe your subplot for your detective novel is an internal story. A decision or moral dilemma the character wrestles with.
In my faith-based detective novel, Soul
Pursuit, the main character, Jack Sterling is on a faith journey. He starts
out a non-religious person, but experiences a number of encounters throughout
the book to a climax where he is confronted with his beliefs about God
and his own personal faith decision.
As you master the art of writing subplots and weave them together with your main plot, you’ll create a detective novel that is longer, more interesting and engaging.
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