Christian Living

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God Where Are You?
© 2005
by

Stephen A. Peterson


Destiny McCann lived in Corpus Christi, Texas. As a hurricane advanced towards the Texas city, Destiny began boarding up the windows of her 12 million dollar house located just 5 ½ miles from the coast. Driving inland, a woman with her two children stopped in front of Destiny’s house.

“Hello, there! We’re going to my parent’s house 100 miles away to get away from the coming hurricane. You’re welcome to come along with us. We have plenty of food and drink for you if you come.”

“Thank you but that’s okay. I’ll stay. God will take care of me.”

As the storm neared limbs of trees near Destiny’s home were ripped off as were as electrical wires. Trash cans, shingles from buildings and other debris raced past Destiny who put the last board on her house. A member of the Sheriff’s Department came by to offer Destiny a ride to a local storm shelter.

“I’m okay, deputy. Thank you ma’am, God will take care of me.”

Within four hours, the storm raged. It caused destruction to Destiny’s house with her still inside. When the storm subsided, rescue workers worked frantically to remove ruble to get to Destiny. Finally, Destiny was located and found to have multiple injuries requiring emergency surgery to prevent her death. Following her surgery, Destiny, in the silence of the hospital room asked, “God, where were You? Lord, I pray and read my Bible every day. I faithfully attend church services each and every week. I give to the poor. I visit the sick and people in prison. I have compassion on the abused. But when it comes to me, you’ll not help me when I need it. Do you even hear me? Answer me, Lord!”

While in a deep sleep, Destiny sees the figure of a smiling young man who says, “I sent you two angels. I gave you eight hours to get into one of your vehicles to go to one of the many shelters in the area when you ignored the help of the angels. I got the radio and television commentators to give you constant warnings of where the storm was and the direction it was coming in. You chose, instead, to stay in your home in your house in a dangerous area of the city. You were afraid that people might steal your possessions. You didn’t listen to me. What more did you want Me to do for you? Now you DEMAND of Me to answer you when you failed to hear me?”

Is this not like humankind? Even those of us who call ourselves Christians are guilty of the same identical response to God. Time and time again, God sends humankind and individuals people and signs to help those who pray and those who curse, scorn and disavow the presence or existence of God. Generally, humankind looks for a spectacular event rather than recognize God’s messengers and messages. When humankind makes its decision, takes what he or she believes is control of the situation and it does not turn out the way he or she wants, we blame God for not doing something to help us or prevent tragedy. Rather than demand of God an answer should we not question ourselves? The question that humankind might possibly ask is: “How long will God put up with humanity, its whining, its evil ways, selfishness and unwillingness to listen? ANSWER: God will because God loves humanity UNCONDITIONALLY!!!!

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