This World is Unfair!

Zhai said...

I think, for me, one of the greatest issues causing me doubt/frustration is what seems like unequal-opportunity love from God. I teach at an inner city school, and my students have faced things that would incapacitate most people I know. Their bravery is inspirational, but I still find it hard to not shout "UNFAIR!" on a daily basis.

Zhai, I believe God whole-heartedly agrees with you! This world is UNFAIR!

God is not willing, however, to leave it in this condition. Scripture reveals that the world God created was much different than our current experience. However, God created humans with free will so we could choose to love and trust Him or rebel against His plan for us. When humanity choose to rebel, we cut ourselves of from the Life (capital-L life) that God desired to share with us.

Sending Jesus was the climax of God's plan to bring total restoration and reconciliation for anyone willing to place their trust in God again. Through active trust in Christ humanity can have the Life (again capital-L life) that God desired for us to have. However, the depth of Life that actively trusting Jesus makes possible is just the beginning of God's restoration plan. Empowered with His Life, Jesus' followers are called to labor for justice and peace for all. Followers of Jesus were never meant to simply sit around and wait for heaven, the invitation of Jesus is to actively bring heaven to earth!

So we really have a few options when we see the unfairness of the world:
- We can fight for what we need, and ignore everyone else.
- We can work against the unfairness of the world with our own limited power
- Or we can place our active trust in Jesus, and by surrendering to His loving rule over our lives, we can let Him empower us as we partner with Him to bring heaven to earth!

Chasing Ugly?

Think of the meanest person you have ever met. Imagine right now how they look. Look past the smirk on their face to the ugliness of their soul. How do you feel about them? What emotions emerge as you focus on this person? What do you wish would happen to them?

The scandal of the message of Jesus is that God loves that person at their worst. He doesn't just tolerate this person, He's actively pursuing them. The love of God, that Jesus revealed, is a love that chases ugly.

Think right now of the worst thing you have ever done. Were you surprised you were capable of that? How easy is it to sleep with that memory? Do you keep it a secret? What if other people knew how ugly you could be?

The scandal of the message of Jesus is that God loves you at your worst. He doesn't just tolerate you, He's actively pursuing you. The love of God, that Jesus revealed, is a love that chases ugly.

In your darkest moment have you felt that persistent tug on your heart? That is the One who chases ugly. That is One this blog is about. I'm inviting you to journey with me as we together we ask questions and look for answers. I'm inviting you to journey with me as together we learn to surrender to the love of the One who is always found Chasing Ugly.

To accept this invitation, please post questions, doubts, and frustrations you have with knowing God. Where we go is up to you, as future posts will be based on your questions and comments.