ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 9, 2025
Like many of you, I have been unable to find words to describe the grief and sadness I have felt in regard to the flooding that has taken so many lives (both in Texas and in the Carolinas). Even my prayers have been more emotion than words, though it is in times like this that I remember the words of the Apostle Paul, “…the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groans too deep for words.” With that said, I have been troubled by some theological claims that some have made. There are plenty of opinions on the cause of suffering, evil, and what are too often incorrectly called “acts of God.” A post I read was clearly trying to be helpful, but the implication was that the deaths caused by the flooding, including the children, were part of God’s greater plan. According to this person, we won’t be able to understand it. However, we are to trust God and accept it. There is no question that the Bible, on occasion, gives the impression that God is the cause of horrific events like this, yet Jesus seemed to dismantle some of that thinking. I have known people who, after a tragedy, found some comfort in the idea that it was part of God’s plan, yet six or eight months later, those same people were in my office feeling anger toward God. It sounded nice in the moment, but in fact, it was not helpful. There is no greater plan that parents could imagine that would somehow justify their child’s suffering and death. It makes no sense to me. I tend to believe in a God who doesn’t send torrential amounts of rain upon a camp where innocent children are sleeping. Instead, I meet a God in Jesus who weeps with every parent, friend, family member, or community leader who is grieving and feeling lost this day. It’s not about making sense when something is senseless, though we should all understand that desperate search for meaning. With that said, I do find it comforting to know that in moments of great pain, we are not alone in our pain, and the God whose love is eternal will not let the death of even one person be the final chapter of the story. How we talk about God, death, and unexplainable tragedy is incredibly important, and pretending the unimaginable is simply part of God’s plan offers a pretty troubling understanding of God.
In moments like this, O Merciful and Kind God, I pray for the capacity to represent your compassion and love in such a way that those who are hurting are able to glimpse at least a hint of who you are and your immeasurable grace. Amen.
