One of the deepest questions we wrestle with as humans has to do with one of the most common experiences we all know. Though the question comes in many forms, and for many different reasons, and addresses many varied circumstances in life, I think the basic  question in it's most basic form can be summarized as "What is the purpose of pain?" Pain is something none of us can or will escape in life. And something deep within us always seems to ask the WHY question when it comes.

            In many cases the question is unanswerable, and in most cases the question only deepens the effect of the pain, but we continue to be driven to ask WHY? I wonder if the reason we always ask why is because we think that if we just knew the reason, we'd understand the purpose and we'd be more able to endure the suffering that always comes with pain. Yet I've come to believe that (or I wonder if) our continually asking WHY? of God, and the generally unanswerable nature of the question, leads directly to an eroding trust of God. Can we get past this? If pain is unavoidable, and WHY is generally unanswerable, what are we to do?

            In this, as with any quandary, I hope we are drawn to the scriptures to look for direction, and I hope we do it in community with others. Because while I am convinced we can find direction in the biblical story, many have also been misdirected by misunderstanding or misuse of scripture as well (especially on this topic). What I've come to understand about pain and purpose though, I've received from the scriptures through the eyes and ears of the community of persons I've read and wrestled with.  Through this wrestling, a picture of a God who sustains us through pain, rather than promising that we can avoid pain, and a God who redeems pain to accomplish divine purposes, has allowed me to deepen my trust in God even when things make no sense on the surface.

            The apostle Paul, one who was no stranger to pain, is a helpful voice. While not attributing pain to God, Paul shows a way to understand pain as having meaning and even as a possible avenue for God to work for our good. God can and does use even things that are opposed to divine will to accomplish divine purposes. Wow! Now that's a God I can trust! Paul does a good job of aligning our present struggles with God's eternal purposes. Listen to his words in Romans 8.

            Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also  share in his glory.  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us... We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time... And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:17-18, 22, 28)

            Paul does some important things as he puts pain into a context. He doesn't negate pain, he doesn't attribute it to God, and he gives pain meaning for those experiencing it. Notice I said meaning, not purpose. While I still maintain that God can work out divine purposes through pain, that doesn't mean that every pain has a specific purpose, or that there is a reason why in every situation. Pain and suffering are simply a part of our present reality in this broken world that God is working to make new. And it is the promise that all things will be made new that gives us hope!

            May we continue to hope, to look for God in every situation (even and especially in the painful ones) and may our trust in God grow as we experience the ways that God re-deems pain for our good and for God's glory.  Amen.

Pastor Carl