Purposeful Struggles

Recently, a great family in our church was faced with a horrific tragedy when they received a phone call that their son was killed in a motorcycle accident.  This was a family that not only loved God, but whose other son was recently baptized and was turning his life around.  As I spoke with the dad, I couldn't help but ask myself why this would happen to such a great family, and I was immediately faced with the fear of how this might affect their other son's newly found faith. 

Over the next couple of days, I would reflect back on my own life.  I thought about my mother who died a horrible death after battling cancer, my brother who had gone through cancer himself with a young family and lost all he had at the time and had to start over, and lastly about my six year old son who was born prematurely and would have to live out his life with severe cerebral palsy.  Why would God allow so much suffering in the lives of those who had chosen to follow him? 

Throughout the week following their son's death, this family continued to trust God and used this as an opportunity to share His love with friends of their son.  Did they suffer and have moments they struggled? Absolutely!  But in the end, it was obvious where their faith was through this difficult time.

Then something unexpected happened...at least for me.  The day of the funeral, six people who had been watching how this family lived their lives during this tragedy gave their lives to Christ.  I was even able to be present at the tear jerking baptism of one of the young ladies who did so.  When I received the news that six people had been saved, I had my answer, and it seemed so simple.

God cares for all of us, whether we are his followers or not. 

By allowing this family who was already part of His family to face difficult times, six others would become part of His eternal family.  Again, I reflected back on my own life.  My mom had incredible faith through out her struggle with cancer, and there is no doubt that she was being watched by others.  My brother's faith through his cancer was the very reason I would come back to church.  Finally, my son's struggles with cerebral palsy.  His story was shared across the country through a blog that I wrote during those difficult times, as well as being sent out to missionaries in 13 different countries who would share our story with those they would witness to.

I believe that God allows those of us who have faith in Him to go through difficult times, because it is in those moments that those who don't have faith in Him can see how our faith carries us through those difficult times.  It is in those moments of seeing the relationship we have with Christ carry us through our struggles that people are able to see past the hypocrisy and hurt they have seen or felt from church in the past.  They see that it is a genuine faith, rather than a religious practice. 

Does this make those moments easy for us as believers?  No way.  I still have struggles with my son's condition, but I am also more aware now more than ever, that God has called me to stand strong in my faith and trust Him, so that those who are watching can see Him through my life.