This afternoon, I will be preaching the funeral of C.J. Pedigo, a 16 year old boy who tragically died with 2 other teenage friends as a result of a car accident last Friday. A tragic event like this rocks a community and leaves many asking questions such as:
“Why did this happen?”
“Whose fault was this?’
“What if …..?
“Why did God allow this to happen?”
“What did I do wrong?”
In our grieving, we seek for answers. This is natural. Yet, the truth is:
If we ask the wrong questions, we will inevitably get the wrong answer.
I once heard a well known public speaker who had suffered from paralysis describe the intense depression she faced for months after her debilitating accident. She described how she would constantly ask God why? She was angry at God, herself and the world. Then one day while she was praying (and complaining), the Spirit of the Lord spoke to her and said: “You are asking the wrong question. The question is not why, but who?”
“Who can help you?”
‘Why’ was driving her away from the very being who is compassionate, loving, and powerful enough to help her deal with where she was and give her the strength to go on with life. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Cor 1:3-4
Sometimes identifying why is important and advantageous. It may keep us from repeating destructive patterns in our life. Other times ‘why’ is unapparent, undistinguishable, or of no value. In these cases, dwelling on ‘why’ only drives us away from the grace to deal with life. Either way, the first and most important thing to identify and grasp in any situation is:
“Who can help?”
