What not Why

It is a curious thing

Lots of people seem to think they have the right to speak for God

Take for example comments by a candidate for the US Senate

In thinking about an instance of rape

and the subsequent impregnation of the woman

He went instantly to the why

 pregnancies from rape are “something that God intended to happen."

Really?
God told him?

We tend to  do this a lot
poor God

we decide why things happen
the problem is when we go to the place where God
micromanages everything
everything
its all God
good, bad
whatever happens is God's will

This is an odd forumla
One I think that is not exactly supported by scripture
which seems to suggest people have something to say
when it comes to evil

I think it is one of the great theological mistakes
this idea that God makes everything happen...
not only the good
but also the bad and the ugly.

It takes us such weird places
A child dies... we must make sense of it
Why?  Why? we cry...
and so people say "God wanted this beautiful child in heaven with Him"
Really?
Not my God. He would not do that to a loving parent.

A woman is raped and gets pregnant.
God must have wanted another life?

It doesn't work
the formula is flawed, and no amount of creative thinking
can always come up with a reason WHY God did something...

As with Adam and Eve,
we darn well have our own minds
and we make our choices
and its not always good
and we can't always make sense of it, except to say
that's life
that is what happens when people
who are all to flawed, have choices

Why is the wrong question
It takes us to horrible places

Paul did remind us... all things work together for good, for those who love God"
So I think the question is this... WHAT?
What can God and I do with the mess I have made
with the mess those around me have made

What can God in the power of the Spirit
do through me
with me, to create good out of what is clearly
not good.

God will that a life would be created during a rape
No!
God is there in the midst and the pain
Yes!
God will work to try and make good emerge
Yes!
Will we always make the right choice, even then?
No!
God will work with even our bad choices?
Yes!

What can God do?
How can I help?
How can love, and grace, and forgiveness thrive

Those it seems, are the right questions!