When Life is Less than Ideal

There seems to be some level of realization within each of us that the way things ought to be does not match the way that they really are.  And somehow we feel that our religion, our relationship with God, should make things different.  And when things turn out otherwise, contrary to our expectations of what ought to be, we find ourselves uncomfortable.  Rather than just accepting the reality we see, we feel that we need to somehow reconcile it to the ideal.  So when we are faced with disappointment, failure, or even outright evil, we don’t just squarely face up to the challenge, we try to redeem it by proclaiming that God can work through even this circumstance in our lives.  Well maybe that is or isn't so, but we further muddy the waters by trying to understand whether these things are from His hand or according to His will.  Maybe, at that point of disconnect, we can simply live, knowing that there is a taint everywhere in our world, that life is not fair, and all that is expected of us is to do the best with the hand we have been dealt.  I know that does not sound very spiritual, but it does sound very real to me, and I am getting very tired trying to spin every circumstance in my life into some spiritual growth opportunity.  Even if the hand of God is in it, there is no assurance that I am ready or willing to accept what it is that He is trying to accomplish.  But at least I can face it honestly.

I am not going to pretend that I understand everything or that I have an answer for every question by just opening up the pages of the Bible.  The reality of the situation is aptly expressed in Hebrews 2:8, “For in subjecting all things to Him (Jesus), He (God the Father) left nothing that is not subject to Him.  But now, we do not yet see all things subjected to Him.”  We live in the now, not the someday (or the sweet by and by).  The only thing that makes it bearable is the next verse and I paraphrase.  I may not see all things under the direct control of Jesus, but I see Jesus Himself, and that reminds me of all that God through Him has done on my behalf.