Don't Ask God, "Why?'...Ask Him, "What Now, Lord?"

1 Timothy 2:  ⁵ For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself a ransom for all, (NKJV)

Most of us live life believing that we are doing well and our plans and efforts will give us a life that is pretty good.  Then our world gets turned upside down...death of a loved one, divorce, loss of job, loss of health, or even societal upheaval that ruins relationships.  The control we thought we had, spirals out of control.  We don't know where to turn.  All the advise and comfort others extend do nothing to ease the pain and hopelessness. Prayers do not bring the relief or produce the results that we so desperately seek.

Then, one day, through our tears we cry out, "Why God...Why God...Why?".  At that moment God in a a calm, comforting voice responds, "Don't ask 'Why' ask 'What Now Lord?"  That is when He calls us to take Him off the witness stand and put ourselves there.  

When I put God in the Judge's seat and I put myself on the witness stand, I realize that the mercy and grace I need are out of my reach.  I am like Job in Job 9:3...I have no defense and the consequences I face are of my own doing.  I need a Mediator to plead for me.  Jesus is that Mediator and He is the Way that leads us to the next moment.

The question "Why?" is actually evidence that we are questioning the goodness of God's plan or whether He is really in control.  When we ask "What now, Lord?" we are acknowledging that he has a plan for us and He invites us to trust Him and His providence over our lives.  Jesus prayed that we be one with Him as Jesus is one with Him. My world spirals out of control because of the choices and the lifestyle I embrace when I push God aside and put myself, my possessions, my family, my desires where God needs to be.

When my prayer becomes "What now God?" He opens the door to moving beyond my despair to receive His comfort and guidance.  I am no longer stuck in hopelessness, but living with His promises.  His healing has eternal consequences which lift us above the current circumstances and gives us peace.  The answer to "Why" is always the same...God wants us to be aware of His majesty and the great chasm that exists between Him and us in our human condition.  The chasm can only be spanned by Jesus Christ.