Recently, I watched The Shack with family and friends.  In the movie, Mac has difficulty trusting God.  Mac grew up in an abusive family and views God as a condemning, omnipotent, and wrathful God.  During the movie, Mac confronts God about his feelings and how he perceives God and, slowly, Mac learns to see God differently and learns to trust God.  (Yes, I recommend seeing this movie, but do bring tissues!)

Like Mac, trusting is hard for me.  Life is full of joy, but also full of disappointments and pain.  I’ve been hurt enough times to learn not to trust so easily.  Unfortunately, it’s a lesson I learned a little too well.  And, that extends to trusting God.  How can I trust a God who sent God’s “beloved” Son to die a horrific and violent death?  What kind of love is that?  (For more thoughts on this, read my previous blog: What If?)  During Lent, we often focus on the cross and talk more about Jesus’ crucifixion.  During Lent, we often focus on our sin and talk about God’s “righteous fiery, wrath.”  During Lent, it seems people are trying to justify God’s actions.

The Shack, and the gospels, show us a different story.   It tells, instead, of a good, loving and merciful God who wants good things for us.  It tells the story of a prodigal father, or mother, (see my previous blog: The Prodigal Father) who works in our lives for our good, and who loves us unconditionally.

There’s a beautiful song I heard recently on the radio titled “Thy Will” by Hillary Scott.  In the song it says:

… I don’t wanna think

I may never understand

That my broken heart is a part of your plan

When I try to pray

All I’ve got is hurt and these four words
Thy will be done …
I know you’re good
But this don’t feel good right now

And I know you think

Of things I could never think about …
Your plans are for me
Goodness you have in store …
So, thy will be done …*

It’s a song about pain and questions and believing that God is good, and choosing to trust that even though something terrible or devastating has happened, God is still here, God still loves, God is good, and God is for you.  If you believe this, then you can pray with Jesus, “Thy will be done.”

Read Luke 22:42, and remember: God is with you, God is for you, and God loves YOU unconditionally!

Annie

Today’s Reading: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” (Lk 22:42, NRSV)

* Listen to the entire song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCR_Fa8YV2U