Articles
Why?
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5)
Picture in your mind a parent instructing their child. One of the most common questions that they ask is—why? Why is the sky blue? Why do I have to go to bed? Why do I have to go to school? The list goes on and on. Now take a moment and consider if we, as adults, do not do the same thing at times? Why did that traffic light have to change when I am already running late? Why couldn’t I receive the promotion? Why can’t things go right for my life? Again, the questions are endless. The question we should ask ourselves is—why do we struggle to trust God?
Sadly, for many, their response is—why should I? Most people want to run their own lives and not have to answer to anyone. God has blessed mankind with the ability to make their own decisions; however, a person’s choices will have consequences. When people choose to go their way without guidance from the Lord, it never ends well. As Solomon wrote, “There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12).
It is not that we are without reason to implore others to seek the Lord with all their heart (cf. Deut. 4:29; Jer. 29:13). The Creator has a desire to have a relationship with His creation. Even Christians should be amazed because why would a perfect all-powerful being want to have a relationship with someone who is flawed in comparison? The simple answer is—love (cf. Jn. 3:16). Christ has said, “Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20).
History has shown that people choose to reject God, and this is nothing new. We see this happen from the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, where the first act of disobedience took place (cf. Gen. 3:6). Then wickedness spread like a wildfire which made the Lord sorrowful enough to flood the Earth (cf. Gen. 6:5ff). During the period of the Judges, people would fall away continually or vacillate from obedience to rebellion (cf. Judg. 21:25). Israel was supposed to be a holy nation in the eyes of the Lord (cf. Ex. 19:6). That was not good enough for them because they wanted to be like everyone else and have a man rule over them instead of God (cf. Deut. 17:14; 1 Sam. 8:5). They already had a King but denied His authority (cf. 1 Sam. 8:7).
I think it would be safe to say that most people value their autonomy. To be free to go wherever and whenever. To make every decision and not have to run it by someone first. If we are honest with ourselves—we make some foolish choices. Soon enough, our poor choices can cause our lives to be pretty chaotic. It is not a pleasant feeling when you feel like you’re drowning and there is no one there to pull you out of the water.
Faithful Christians endeavor to appeal to those outside the fellowship of Christ. It comes back to the will of mankind. People desire the things of this world but do not consider that this life is passing away (cf. 1 Jn. 2:17). Worldly individuals are incapable of grasping the spiritual things of God (cf. 1 Cor. 2:14). James gives this warning, “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4).
Many will claim that they are happy with their life and do not need God. Yes, there are a lot of things that this life has to offer. Worldly treasures will not fill you up. There will always be a desire for something more. A feeling that something is missing. Like God, I don’t want you to miss out on the most important thing to hope for—Heaven. None of us can imagine what is in store for them that believe and maintain their faith until the end. What joy, peace, and comfort await (cf. 1 Cor. 2:9)!
