I don’t know why I was never arrested for drunk driving: I took an awful chance. I don’t understand why I was safe after accepting a ride with a total stranger. The thought horrifies me, now that I have a daughter.
I can’t explain why some people have their lives upended by a foolish mistake and others don’t. Or why I was protected then, only to have Cancer and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome later.
Maybe I’m just looking at this wrong, though. Maybe the Bible has answers.
First, the answer may already be on the way. By the time the captive Israelites cried out for help (Exodus 2:23-25), God had been preparing Moses for almost 80 years: in Pharaoh’s court and then in the wilderness. (Exodus 3: 7-10) The plan came together at the perfect time.
Then, maybe the answers are too big or too hard to understand. Job’s friends insisted that bad things happen to bad people, good things to good people; Job just wanted answers. He only got more questions – and a glimpse of the magnificence of God.
Maybe knowing would make faith more difficult or even unnecessary. (Hebrews 11:1)
Suffering is part of everyone’s story, though. I tell myself that I will understand when I get to heaven. All questions will be answered there. But most likely, the reality of heaven will make all questions irrelevant. Because I suspect that God has me – and you – in an IEP. Let me explain.
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a plan that describes the special education instruction, supports, and services that students with disabilities are legally entitled to receive. Before you decide that you have no disability, think about the effects this world has had on you. Think about how hard it is to overcome habits, to do the right thing, even when you want to do the right thing.
So God maps a program to help us navigate this world and grow. Everyone’s path is different, but the goal is the same: to conform to the image of His Son.
We have a book, the Bible, to learn the principles of godliness. Then we have practical experiences in the real world designed to mature us and make us a part of the whole.
Because, it is certain: if we forget that God our Father loves and guides us, we will always look at it wrong.