There are certain defining moments in all of our lives aren’t there? Things which when we face them change the course of history in quite a dramatic way. They leave us shocked, bewildered and reflecting. Sometimes they come on a universal scale and affect us all at the same time, like 9-11 or the tsunami. They are words on our lips which when uttered stir an emotional response we cannot fathom, sometimes they leave us speechless. Other times these defining moments are our own person ones. In these cases others help when they can and love us but mostly we face a new future which is completely unfathomable in our own bubble. No one can really know what it is like in that exact moment in time for us.
How do we deal with this? How do we process it and as Christians how can we relate to God in these situations?
This morning these questions hurled themselves into my face in the form of a defining moment. It wasn’t my defining moment but it almost feels the same. As the white cloudy sky allowed bright patches to filter onto the green fields of Moshi and we commented on how fortunate we were. We being; Andy (driving); Susie (in front passage seat); Grace (in the bumper seat to my left; Rosie (in the child’s car seat to my right); and me (squished in the middle with no arm or leg room). Suddenly everything changed.
Well not everything; the sky remained white with blue patches and the grass remained green and luscious but our focus was whisked away. Susie received a phone call informing us their house was on fire.
Moshi is not remotely near Iringa, where they live. We were miles and miles away. Soon we found out, due to a supposed electrical fault, their study had caught alight followed by their snug and the roof. The damage is extensive but not everything has been burnt – thank God!!! However, they will not be able to return to their home again and as they were due to leave for the UK at the end of December- they will not be able to live there ever again. They have lost some important memorabilia as well as the normality of life here. We have no idea what will happen tomorrow; where we will be – either Iringa or Dar let alone any long term plans.
All this makes me want to scream – this isn’t fair!! Because it’s not. Naturally I want to ask God why this happened but I know God has a plan. I don’t believe the house burning down was caused by God but I do believe He will work it for His glory. God is big enough to deal with my screaming and being upset but am I able to cope with an answer?
It suddenly changes our perspective on everything, partly because everything is unknown and partly because it is such a huge thing to happen.
How did this family react? They cried, they talked, they prayed and they did what we are told to do in the bible; praised God in every situation. Christian songs were blasted from the car stereo and as tears streamed and beautiful countryside passed us we sang lyrics which declared God to have our lives and re-affirmed we wanted to live them for Him.
Wow! I had a lot of respect for this family before but I most certainly do now! Could we all do the same thing? It doesn’t mean they wont ask questions, struggle with their relationship with God later and ask why the whole time but in that particular moment they were giving praise to God at all times (Philippians 4:4), as Paul calls the Philippians to do. Paul doesn’t ask them, or us, to only do it when things are good but at every point in our lives. The Philippians were struggling with worldly things when Paul writes this to them. What is more, Paul himself has been through some awful experiences for his faith – he tells us this in Philippians 3.
This is a defining moment which will continue to challenge us all over the coming months and has changed our little course of history for the rest of our lives. Please pray for the family during this time; it is for them my heart breaks.
Much love and blessings, Deborah ><>
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