Good and Evil

We have all asked the question. We turn our face to heaven, and whether with that small seed of faith, or with a raised fist, we ask it. When evil strikes, when tragedy ensues, when disease overtakes, when hatred reigns, the question is the first we ask. "God, if you really are God, how could you let this happen? Why?" And what we want is an easy, one step solution. "Fix it!" we cry. Here is my feeble attempt to explain why evil is still with us. 

Please understand that if God were to use a quick, easy, one step solution to put an end to evil it would only take one word from his mouth to do so. It would also result in the utter destruction of this entire world we've messed up so badly. To get rid of evil, he would also have to destroy those tiny seeds of evil that reside in the hearts of every person on earth. Yes, even your own heart. It is not that some of us are born murderers and others of us are born good and decent. We are all born with the capacity to hate and even to kill. So instead of wiping evil (and consequently all of us) from the face of the earth, he has given us a gift--a  chance to have a front row seat in this story called life. We see the good, we see the bad. We see glimmers of hope amidst destruction, unselfish love shining through the cracks of the hatred, and anger. And we cling to those things because they are a sign to us. They are a proof that he has not abandoned us. If he abandoned us, there would be nothing but bad. So from our front row seats, we see what we as sinners can do, and we see what a loving and sovereign God can do. 

So if you find yourself hating evil, don't shake your fist at the only One who is free of evil. Run to him. The truth is that he hates evil so much more than you ever could. Sin and destruction cause him more heartache than you could begin to imagine. And yet he bears with us. Calling us to come. He poured out his wrath on his own Son for every bitter thought, every senseless death, every angry word, so that our evil could be destroyed instead of our souls. 

So when you find yourself asking the question, "Why?" remember the only reason you are asking the question is because he created you to love him, to love good, to love justice, to love mercy. If not for his grace you'd be lost in evil, and you would have no inclination to hate it, or run from it. But he is still here; still showing you what things COULD be like; what things WILL be like when he returns. If you hate the senselessness of the bad in this world, then stand firmly on his side, wash yourself in the blood of his Son, and joyfully wait for the day when he will put all things right.