Where Do You Turn When Life Does Not Make Sense?

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21

REFLECTION

by Mary Alice McGinnis

This little walnut may look harmless at first glance. But for me, it’s a vivid reminder of November 4, 2024. That day, as I rode my skinny-tired road bike, my wheel struck a walnut just like this one. I heard the sharp crunch beneath me, and before I could react, I was thrown from my bike. I hit the ground hard, sliding across the rough, bumpy chip and seal pavement. The world seemed to spin as I felt a surge of pain shoot through my arm. The fall tore through three layers of sleeves and scraped a deep layer of skin off my right elbow. When I finally stopped, I lay there, stunned, asking myself, “What just happened?”

That moment replays in my mind over and over as I struggle to make sense of it.

There are so many things in life that simply don’t make sense. The tragedies we never saw coming. The pain that lingers, much like the scars that remain after other harsh blows. Innocent lives lost to senseless violence or disease. Betrayals that wound us deeply and leave us wondering if we’ll ever feel whole again.

How do we make sense of it all?

The truth of the matter is, we can't. No rose-colored glasses, no amount of sticking our head in the sand, or fighting back will ever help us make sense of things. We cannot fix things or control things.

I have come to realize I, as a frail and finite human being, cannot figure it all out. But my struggle with disillusioned discomfort still beckons my heart to seek some sort of resolution.

Amid my confusion, I sense a gentle invitation, and God led me to today’s verses to glean some answers.

I can kneel before the Father in Heaven. When I see the beauty of nature, when I watch the sun rise and set, I remember that there is a Master designer. Our Father in heaven, who created it all, is bigger, wiser and more powerful than my puny mind can comprehend. Let the awe of Him bring me to humbly kneel before Him.

I belong to God’s family. Belonging is one of our deepest needs. We long for it. How amazing that even though we are weak humans, God has called us His own. Even if I don’t find belonging anywhere else, I can rest in knowing I belong to Him.

I can find my strength in His vast storehouse of glorious riches. Try to imagine it. How vast are the riches of the God of the universe? He says His storehouse is available to us. Look back on your life. When has God provided for you in totally unexpected, unexplainable way?

I must choose to be rooted and grounded in His love.  Whenever I question why, I can remind myself that the Almighty God, who has supreme dominion over all things, loves ME! His love is so wide and long and high and deep that He choose to leave heaven and become a man. He willingly spread out His everlasting arms on the cross beams of wood for ME. He allowed His blood to be spilled for ME. He gave up His Spirit for ME! He declared “It is finished” for ME.

Remind myself His love surpasses knowledge. Even when things don’t make sense, God is bigger than my understanding, and His love is always at work.

 The story is not over. When things seem at their worst, know that His plan has not yet reached its ending. He can and will do immeasurably MORE than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.

Prayer – Help my hurting, weary heart Lord. You are my Father. I belong to You and You alone. You will strengthen me from Your vast storehouse of infinite treasures. Keep reminding me of your amazing, never-ending love for me, your love that surpasses knowledge. Help me trust You even when I don't understand. I know how the story ends, I will be with You again forever and ever! Nothing can pluck me from Your hand. Amen