Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

Last night one of our students, a freshman named Kyle, was hit by a car while crossing M-82 just east of the school on his snowmobile. The car was traveling an estimated 55 miles per hour, hitting Kyle's snowmobile directly on its right side. Kyle was thrown from the snowmobile, hit the windshield (smashing it completely), and was thrown 15 feet into the ditch. Miraculously, Kyle had absolutely no serious injuries and may even return to school this afternoon. When the accident happened, there were many students still in the building. As you can imagine, tension was high as students waited for word on his condition. They prayed and they cried as they waited, and, like all of us, sighed with relief and gave thanks to God when they heard that he was going to be fine. Later in the evening, their Facebook posts indicated not only their thankfulness to God, but their sure and unwavering belief that it was God who protected Kyle. How could someone doubt the existence of God after hearing of God's obvious protection of Kyle? They are right, for God's saving of Kyle's life was certainly miraculous. But what if God had not protected Kyle? Would God's existence have then been doubted? Would his goodness have been questioned?

This morning, a substitute teacher at our school told the heart wrenching story of her mother's battle with cancer. She told of the pain and the heart ache, the physical and emotional anguish that the entire family went through, and the ultimate loss of her mother's life. Her testimony of how God worked in her life through her mother's illness was at the same time encouraging and heartbreaking. Why did God allow this to happen? Why did he choose not to heal? Is he really there? Is he still good?

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Fifteen years ago we used to say that a lot in church and in other Christian "circles." Though it is no longer a common expression, we know it is still true. God is good... sometimes he gives us everything we hoped for; All the time... sometimes the pain in our lives is almost too much to bear. All the time... sometimes he miraculously protects; God is good... while other times we are not spared from injury. God is good... sometimes he heals; All the time... and sometimes - dare I say often - he lets the disease take hold and bring death. I have no deep theologically sound explanation for why this is. I just know that it is. But I also know that God is good all the time, and that my gratitude to him is not and cannot be dependent upon my circumstances. If it were, my life would be a yo yo, moving with monotonous rhythm as each passing event yanks me up, then down, then up, then down. I refuse to live like that. Instead, I will be radical in my gratitude, giving thanks to God in all circumstances, for he alone is good, and he alone is God. Today I give thanks to the God who saved Kyle's life and the God who allowed cancer to take the life of Carissa's mom. I thank him not for these events, but for the fact that he was in control of these events, and that he is in control of all events. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thes. 5: 16-18). The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. (Job 1:21b)