Today, many will remember an event that shocked them. It was one of the most shocking events of our lifetime. But it was not an isolated event. The record of human rulership is there for all to see.
I was talking with a workmate recently who practices Islam. Some of my colleagues who practice Islam were talking about the question of why our Creator allows suffering. It was interesting to hear their various views. They asked me my view. We had a very interesting discussion.
One of the aspects of our discussion was the challenge to our Creator’s rulership over mankind. The issue raised was not over his immense power, but whether it was really to the benefit of humans, and other intelligent creatures for someone else to make the rules. In response to a challenge, in essence a rebellion, our Creator allowed humans to rule themselves.
None of my colleagues thought that our Creator causes suffering. They know that our Creator is good. They did not feel it was possible that a loving Creator could map out every act of violence and suffering. That did not make sense to them. Of course they were right. So if He does not cause it, why does He allow it? was their question. Is life one big test to assess your worth as a creature? Are you being scrutinised for a life of eternal torment or a life of internal bliss?
I mentioned my Australian friend who gives me fascinating things to think about. One was about why the accusation has been allowed at all. She said to imagine a father of several young children. A neighbour accuses that father of being a terrible parent. How would that accusation be answered? If the father is confident that he is providing loving care and guidance for his children, he would likely cooperate with any protection services who wanted to visit the home, talk to his children and observe family life. He is happy to be examined. If this father knows that the truth will shine out, he may be willing to be put on trial in a court.
But what if the father had a gun? If he went outside and shot the neighbour accusing him, would that answer the accusations? How would his children feel about him? Would that answer the challenge to his love and ability to care for his children? No, it would make him look like a terrible person. Similarly, when our Creator’s rulership over his creation was challenged, He did not use His immense power to wipe out those accusing Him of wicked things. Instead He allowed a set period of time to answer this challenge. Is mankind better off ruling themselves? In a sense a court case began.
For a limited time, period, our Creator has allowed rebellion against his sovereignty. Why? To show that no effort to rule without him benefits people. The pages of human history are there for all to see, the evidence is clear. Human rulers have failed to eliminate war, terrorism, racism, crime, injustice, or disease. In addition the scale of pollution is threatening our air, water, our home and all the creatures that share our home.
The other point of interest my Australian friend raised, was in connection to why our Creator does not intervene when terrible things happen. The list is long, the Holocaust, the Crusades, Hiroshima, the terror attack on the World Trade Center, the explosion in Beirut. These shocking horrendous events that we find heartbreaking – why does our Creator not prevent them from happening? First of all my friend reminded me that our Creator promises to bring back to life all who have died once the earth is clean. But she asked me to consider the issue being answered today. Are humans qualified, competent and equipped to rule? The terrible acts we see are the results of humans oppressing each other. If our Creator kept jumping in everytime humans were going to commit another act of wickedness, would people realize just how corrupt and devastating human rulership has been?
Just to repeat what my Australian friend pointed out….there is nothing that our Creator cannot undo. He has power over death, He is the Creator of life. To reassure us the scriptures poetically describe his His memory as being able to hold the details of billions upon billions of stars. He remembers every detail of every human He has watched from cradle to grave. He yearns to see them living again – healthy, joyful, united with their loved ones on a clean earth, without any threat to their safety and peace.
Painful as it has been for us to see the wicked things humans can do to each other, it has been more painful for our Creator to see what humans have done. However, He will restore and heal and care for humans. We will learn how to take care of our beautiful home properly, in a way that all thrive. No more terror attacks, which are sometimes rooted in deep anger or desire for vengeance over previous atrocities and mistreatment. No more hatred. No more fear. No more trauma.
They will not cause any harm or any ruin in all my holy mountain, because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of our Creator as the waters cover the sea
ISA 11:9
Caramel 