“Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.’ ‘Don’t you understand yet?’ Jesus asked. ‘Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak come from the heart – that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.’” (Matthew 15:15-20 NLT)
If we’ve walked with the Lord for very long the words above seem common sense to us, but so many other words of Scripture continue to be a mystery. But life is compounded by things that happen in the world and in our lives that are literally beyond our comprehension. Where are the words that can possibly explain the senseless death of an 11-year-old boy due to road rage?
How can we stretch our hearts and minds to even begin to think God’s thoughts as he helps a parent to understand a loss of that magnitude? How could a parent or grandparent cope with such a profound loss? Is God to blame for allowing it to happen? How does anyone begin to gain understanding and a proper perspective?
As a rule we, as human beings, respond first with our emotions, then, often after much time has passed, we begin to use our minds to actually think through what happened and why. Is there ever justification for such actions? It’s doubtful, but at least when the proverbial “dust settles,” tempers are calmed, and facts gathered, then at least some measure of sense can be gleaned.
But what if no other human is involved? What if the storm that rocks our world is an accident, illness, or incident that is brought about by something we have done or by an act of God? Ray Majoran gives us insight when he prayed: “Please teach us to wait without fear, and to remember that faith is not built on what we understand but on who You are.” (See Home Beneath the Light – 11-03-25)
The fog of doubt and misunderstanding are never lifted until we remember who the Lord is and recognize that nothing happens without His knowledge and consent. So, the logical question then becomes, why would the Lord allow such senseless (at least to us) things to happen? And please understand that this is far beyond my ability to make sense of except as I know and understand who God is.
Everything He allows has purpose, thus, even something that seems completely random to us can have purpose for those who are directly involved and who are affected by the outcomes. What if one person, as a result of hearing of this senseless, road rage shooting decides to never let another driver’s inappropriate driving bother them.
Or what if someone decides it’s just not worth the risk to carry a gun in their car or otherwise; especially a young person who has very little emotional maturity with which to make wise decisions? What if a major loss like that opens the way for that family’s hearts and minds to be opened to the Lord in ways they’ve never been opened before? Or opens the door for Jesus-lovers to surround them with love, compassion, and kindness they’ve never experienced in their lives?
The Lord is not limited in the ways He can use tragedy for good, especially if His people will be alert and sensitive to His leading in these tragic occurrences.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 