Life is Short: Can you make sense out of senseless tragedy?
Life is short
James 4:14
Cope
- Agonizing hardship of life’s joyless trials.
- Complaining and anger.
Celebrate
- Fully engaged life of joy and responsiveness.
- Life is learning and growing in gratitude and celebration.
How does Jesus make sense out of senseless tragedy?
What does the Bible say about how to stand when when you don’t understand.
John 9:1
Two alternative strategies for tragedy:
- Human- the disciples cope.
- Divine- Jesus celebrated.
Human approach.
John 9:2
Cope: Why?
- Find an explanation.
- Determine a cause.
Divine Approach:
Celebrate.
John 9:3–5
Opportunity for the work of God.
Differences in Human and Divine approach to tragedy.
Human
- Determine the cause or reason.
Divine
- Deal with the solution- Where can this, what looks like evil, be brought to light?
Human
- Understand tragedy by chasing it backward.
Divine
- Overcome tragedy by tracing it forward- How can God work in this today?
Tragedy is never redeemed by being explained but by being changed.
How can you stand when you don’t understand.
Psalm 13:1–4
It’s not wrong to question God when life doesn’t make sense.
God is not obligated to answer the way you want.
- Some things will not be understood, this side of heaven.
1 Corinthians 13:12
- You can trust God.
Psalm 13:5–6
“God allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves.”
Joni Eareckson Tada
- When you don’t understand, stand on what you know.
- God doesn’t life, He keeps His word.
- Jesus never leaves you.
You do not lose because death is not the end!!
2 Corinthians 5:1–9