Sunday 28 February 2016

Coming to terms with misfortune

Today's Ministry of the Word reminds us that God freely provides food, drink and protection to satisfy need. If that provision seems to break down, it seems unfair, yet it's a result of an all too human failure to live in full accordance with God's will and purpose. '..unless you repent, you will all perish as they did' (Luke 13:3 & 5). It's not intended as a threat, but to remind us that each tragedy we hear of challenges us to review and revalue our lives in relation to God. 

'So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.' (1 Cor 10:12)

Nobody deserves a cruel or an arbitrary accidental end. Anyone can have the misfortune of being the victim of random fate, in the wrong place at the wrong time, or making choices unaware of hidden consequences. There can sometimes be no answer to the question 'Why has this happened to me?' But trust in God's providence finds reassurance in Paul's words

'No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.' (1 Cor 10:13)

Also

'For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.' (Rom 8:38-39)

Living as we do, in the face of uncertainty and insecurity in turbulent times, praying and not losing heart calls for resolute struggle to rely on God's providence and protection despite all that is happening to cause us anxiety about the future. 

 'I will say to the Lord, “My refuge, my fortress,  My God, in whom I trust!”. (Psalm 91:2)

Whatever is happening now, in the end the future belongs to God, who is all in all

'Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, those who have God lack nothing. God alone is enough.' (Sta Teresa of Avila') 

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