"Where Is He?"

My time in the Word is more or less non-existent. It has been almost a month since I last looked at this book. As soon as the semester started, it was excuse after excuse. The book kept getting lower on the pile of "books I will read at some point in time." I have seen it throughout these last few weeks and maybe even gave it a thought, but not once, did I pick it up. So why did I decide to pick it up now?  It's 9 p.m. on a Saturday night. I am usually "out with the squad" bar hopping downtown and loving life. After being out late last night and sleeping the day away, I would usually take a shower, drink some coffee and go at it again, because it's college, right? Today something was just different. I stayed in bed and watched the latest Grey's Anatomy episode,"Personal Jesus," and it struck a chord with me.

 One of the characters, April Kepner, has always been an advocate for faith in the show but in this episode, her faith was tested over and over again until she admitted that staying true to her faith and belief in God is a real struggle. If you are a fan of the show, you know that voiceovers at the beginning and end are huge, well April did the voiceover for this episode saying, 

            "Is it worth it being a faithful servant? Or would have it been better to have cursed God's name from the beginning? Where was God, throughout all of Jobs suffering and pain? He was winning a bet with Satan. It makes you wonder where God is in all the unfairness and inequity and cruelty in the world. Where is He now?"

Where is God when we need him? Why do all these horrible things keep happening in the world? The book of Job is a great place to read about testing patience. Job 1:21 says, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Throughout all of his suffering, Job kept his face in God and was given the gift of humility. 

Our patience is tested over and over again, whether it be as small as stressing over a paper or as big as not wanting to live another day. Why do we strain ourselves to the point of only contacting God with complaints or problems? Our Savior. Our fighter. Our God. He is here for us always and forever. Jesus Christ died for us. Yet,  we can't give Him a time of day unless something goes wrong or isn't going our way. I am tired of turning on the news and only hearing what is wrong with the world. I am tired of only hearing from people when they are stressed out or want to complain about their problems. I am tired of all the people in this world taking life for granted. 

We are here. I am here. If you are reading this, please look to God for comfort in happiness and sadness. In love and hate. The least you can do is give Him a few minutes of your time. Look to God for answers but also for a peace of mind. He is here for us, for you. 

Where is He? 

He is here. Within and without. His love never fails. His love never gives up. His love never runs out. So whether you are stressing over a test, fighting with your parents, or fallen into a deep depression that you just can't get out of, just know He cares. He is here. It all matters. You matter. He loves you and if you just give Him a chance, He will change your life.