It seems to have become fashionable to “not know”. I have recently read many blogs and listened to many interviews with high (And low…) profile Christians who seem to define their faith in terms of what they don’t know or don’t understand. They struggle with their faith publicly in songs, books, blogs, social media and more. Now I will be the first one to admit to all kinds of struggles in my Christian life, but what I am reading and hearing from so many is the struggle with things that God has already answered. I listened to one very high profile Christian musician say that he didn’t know where God was in this tragedy or that. But all that suggests to me is that he doesn’t seem to be a student of the Bible. Now, I don’t claim to have cornered the market on truth and I am not saying that my interpretation is the only one, but some of this stuff is pretty simple and flat out obvious in God’s Word. Apply that thought to John 9:1-7. Or take a look at Romans 8:28 in this context. Do you see it? Those are answers to the questions that many are asking.
“Where was God?” “Why did He let this happen?” Is it that we don’t know, or is it that we don’t like the answers that have been given? You see, the Word of God is the answers of God. Another way to put it is; “our theology informs us”. What we believe shapes our worldview. But it seems that many would rather struggle with not knowing than struggle with knowing and possibly being marginalized for offering an answer. When I faced the death of my wife from cancer, I had a choice; to accept the answers God had already given me in His Word or to struggle with the façade of not knowing in order to justify my depression, failing faith, or just my bad behavior. I chose to let my knowledge of God’s Word and my faith in Him inform my state of mind and illuminate my circumstance. The comfort I received as a result will be with me the rest of my life. That did not come from “not knowing”; it came from a fully formed theology based firmly on God’s Word. It came from knowing the answers and not looking for an answer I liked better. It came from God Who honors His Word and has already answered so many of my questions.
…you have exalted above all things Your Name and Your Word.
Psalm 138:2