The news of little girls washed away in their summer camp cabins is so horrible it defies comprehension. When the Guadalupe River in Texas rose to 26 feet in 45 minutes it swept evil over people sleeping peacefully in their beds. How do we process that?
No one needs convincing that things happen in this world that ought not to. Most of the time they are manageable like minor illness, or predictable like old age pains. But when floods, fires, cancer, or accidents happen, we are flooded with emotion. We cry, “Evil!” and know this is not how God meant for things to be. Sometimes we pray, believing that God can make things better. It is instinctive to appeal to God who we know is good, loving, and powerful even as we struggle with “why?” questions.
Jesus allowed His friend Lazarus to endure the great evil – death. In the beginning, death was not part of God’s plan. So, if God were to conquer evil, it only makes sense that He would do something about death. And He did, on the third day after the cross. But death still hurts. When Jesus saw Lazarus’ sister and friends weeping, He did too, even though He knew God would be glorified in what would happen next. So how do we process evil? We join with those who grieve, and we weep – even though we know this present evil is not the end of the story. Tomorrow is then; the pain is now.
We process evil with hope. Jesus told Lazarus’ sister Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26). A few moments later, Jesus called Lazarus out of his tomb. Jesus offered hope on another occasion saying, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). When Jesus arose from His own tomb, courage is exactly what happened. It was hope of eternal life that gave His followers courage to face tribulation and evil. When Jesus overcame death, it signaled that He has the power to restore His creation and see it once again as good.
It is inspiring to see believers, churches, and faith-based organizations rush relief to the survivors of the Guadalupe River flood. God is glorified by their displays of love and support. Join me in praying that those devastated by this tragedy will be flooded with hope and healing that only God can give.
Even though life on earth brings suffering, you can live with hope that once again God will dwell among us and there will no longer be death, mourning, crying, or pain (Rev. 21:4). May that flood of joy come soon!