How Big Is Your God?

We have had an interesting stay at the Arizona Transplant House so far. We were very blessed to be able to stay here after only one night in a hotel. It is much cheaper, and it is an excellent place to heal and recover. Each "casita" can house up to six patients and their caregivers. We have been blessed with an excellent group with which to share our stay.

Bobbie and Dan were able to move in to the same casita on their second day in Arizona. It was good to be able to share a lot of time with them. Phil is a very interesting character. He was released after only three days in the hospital. He was released to go home a few weeks ago, but he hung around the Mayo Clinic to get some other things checked out before he left for New Mexico. Hal and Linda are former pastors and their story will take up a soon-to-be-coming blog. They are an amazing source of support and encouragement. Scott and Denise are a miracle in the making. The details of their story will also be coming shortly to a blog near you. Ed and Jan are the most recent arrivals, but they are already fitting in nicely.

This evening, Hal and Linda invited us to take part in a Bible study along with Denise and a couple staying in another casita. Jim and Tamara are here dealing with some cancer issues. The Bible study is the source of inspiration for this particular blog post.

The study goes along with a book, Torn, by Jud Wilhite. Jud is the senior pastor for Central Christian Church in Las Vegas. The subtitle for the book is "Trusting God When Life Leaves You in Pieces". Hal thought it might be appropriate for what all of us are presently going through. Imagine that. The key thought from the first segment is "the size of your God determines the size of your trust". The key verses are from Isaiah 40:25-31. It was indeed very appropriate for our situation, and for the situation that several of my friends are currently in.

Our God is an awesome God. Hey, that would make a great song, wouldn't it? He has created a universe beyond what we could ever comprehend. We can't even begin to understand the number of stars that He has put into place, yet He knows each one by name. He also knows each tiny detail of our everyday lives. He knows what each of us is going through and struggling with. He knows about the brain tumors in Missy's former youth pastor, my college friend, and a senior at Missy's school. He knows about the teenage daughter of my high school friend who is battling cancer. He knows about another high school friend whose husband has been out of work for several months. He knows about the high school secretary who just lost her young grandson. He knows about Missy's liver transplant. He knows all about many other struggles that are too numerous to mention here. God knows.

It is God who gives strength and power to those who are weary, weak, and struggling. He never grows tired or weary, and those that hope in Him will renew their strength. We often ask God, "Why?" Why did You allow this to happen? Why do good people struggle so much? Why does this young, innocent life have to suffer? Why are You leading us through all of this?

In this study, Pastor Wilhite admits that "Why?" is a good and legitimate question. But it is not the most important question. The more important question is "Who?" Who do you put your trust in? Who is the source of your strength? Who is going to get you through whatever it is you are going through? God often does not answer our "Why?" questions, at least not the way that we think He should. Many times, His answer wouldn't satisfy us anyway.

The important part for us is not to know why life happens the way it does. The important part is to know who our trust and faith and hope are in. Once we know that the God of the universe, the omnipotent Holy One, is on our side, that He knows each anxious thought and concern,  and that He is more than capable of handling anything that comes our way, we can rest assured that He will see us through it. Their may be some pain along the way, but one day, the torn pieces will be put back together.

Missy and I needed to hear that tonight, and I have a feeling that maybe some of you did, too. Oh, and I'm sure the friends I mentioned in this post would appreciate your prayers, too.