Where is God in a hurting world?

Character of God

In class we have begun to tackle some really tough questions; where is God when all we see is hurt in the world? Does he cause the destruction we see? Can he prevent it? These are tough questions to answer and cannot be resolved in a week’s teaching. But what we can consider in a week is how we approach these questions. We took a look at the big picture – where is God in the history of the world, what has his position been on justice and mercy, what are those crazy stories in the Old Testament all about? We also made it personal. Students looked at their own lives – the hurts and injustices they’ve experienced, the situations in their lives that have made them question God’s goodness, or even existence. As they honestly brought these questions, in humility and without accusation, God ministered healing and understanding and many were able to look back for the first time and not only see the pain but see God’s presence, His sustaining grace carrying them through the hardest times.

I think the thing that stood out to me as I saw the students get touched by God’s love and healing is just how important our “attitude of approach” is. Do we really want to know “why?” something happened, or is the “why” a fist shaken at God cleverly hidden by a question mark? I have seen time and time again that when people seek understanding in humility and openness God meets them in the most incredible ways. But I have also seen how accusation, preconceived notions and already drawn conclusions can harden our hearts and keep Him at a distance. I myself experienced a lack of God’s comfort and presence when I harbored accusation for years. The beautiful thing about God is that he desires to come near, to come into those places of deepest hurt. He may not answer every last question, but he brings peace. The creator of the universe is humble enough to feel our pain and bring comfort and understanding. Are we humble enough to let him in?

JULY DTS 2011 BEGINS!

What a start!

"The most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like." - AW Tozer

The first week's topic was hearing God's voice. God is already doing a work in the students' hearts. Janine (our school leader and lecturer for the week) raised the question "what do you really think about God?" She challenged the students to go beyond what they can recite, what they know in their head or what they have heard about God. What do they believe in their hearts? As she and one of the staff shared about difficult experiences they've had and how God has shown up for them, the Holy Spirit began to move, touching the hearts of the students, bringing up past hurts and hidden misconceptions about God. I could see Him softening their hearts and bringing comfort and healing. And it is merely the beginning! They are so open to God and it is beautiful to see their genuine, deep desire to know God for who He truly is.

Oh yes, it's going to be a good 6 months.

I also want to share the testimony of one of our students. He is from Mexico and he is a very new Christian. He gave his life to the Lord through one of the Megacities teams we sent to Mexico City last year. He met the girls from the team in the street. When he found out they were reading the Bible he was really mean to them (these are his own words). But they responded in love. So they became friends. One time he showed them how to get to the top of a nearby mountain because the team wanted to worship there. When they reached the top and started singing to God he was annoyed and left them there - in the dark, in a dangerous place. But they responded in grace. So he was more mean to them. They responded with even more love. And something in his heart began to change. Then he had a dream of a man in white with bright eyes, full of love. He felt in his heart the most powerful feeling of love, like he had never felt before, and gave his life to the Lord. Now, despite how difficult it is for Mexicans to study in Australia, he is in Perth learning the ways of God in our DTS! God is so faithful.