Yesterday, a good friend of mine lost his wife. A brother in Christ, who has dedicated his life to serving God in the feeding of street kids (everyday) and serves God with me in Kimberley, has had his life rocked in the most tragic way. His wife, who supported him in the most beautiful way, was very young and she leaves behind her husband and 4 kids. The oldest is about 10 and the youngest is not even 1 yet. Their second eldest was recently cured of a brain tumour, and the healing was accredited to the power of prayer and faith. So this family has already been through a lot. It is truly a tragic event that has impacted our whole community.
We spent a lot of time for her in prayer, but this time, the outcome was different. She never made it.
I cannot say that my friend is being tested, because this is far too cruel to be a test. This can only be the doing of a fallen and evil world. Even now as i write this, i have "Sunday-school" answers popping up in my head to hopefully give some explanation into this event.
I'm not for once saying that God is to blame here. i don't believe God wanted this for her, or for anyone of us, but due to the original sin (when Adam and Eve first sinned), we have been living in a broken world ruled by its consequence, resulting in our inevitable deaths.
Thank God (literally) that this is not the end. How more tragic would life be if we never had a hope beyond death? This sin thing is an ugly SOB that only destroys and hurts. But it, itself, has been destroyed by the power of God's resurrected Son, Jesus Christ.
If it weren't for God's intervention into combating sin, we would all be stuffed.
Sometimes, the most powerful reminders of this, are our "Sunday-school-text-book" answers. Especially, when our own "adult" wisdom wrestles with reality. They give us some hope.
I do not doubt that my friend will give up on his faith in God. But i do know, like us, when tragedy strikes, deep questions are asked. So, please, those who believe in the resurrected life, pray for our brother and his family. They need us now.
