1 Nephi 3:29 Why Didn't God Intervene? PART III

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For our good:  There is an age-old question of "Why do bad things happen to good people?"  Recently I attended an event where a quadriplegic woman spoke.  She was absolutely amazing and motivating to listen to for the hour we had.  Her take-home message was "I love my life!"   This shocked me.

It seemed unbelievable when you think of all the things that she COULD NOT DO.  But she was sincere and honest and straightforward.  She had come to a point in her life where she could find humor in places where she might have wanted to cry. She shared a dream she had one night, which touched me deeply.  She was sitting in heaven with another person in a pre-mortal setting, going through a book that showcased her life.  It showed her that she would be a quadriplegic, and she was EXCITED.  She was overjoyed to learn what her challenges would be and her opportunity to overcome them.  

Her perspective helped me greatly.  What if my challenges in this life were tailored to fit my exact needs?  What if my struggles were the only things that challenged me to grow, stretch, develop to a higher plane?  

What if I experienced what my neighbor experienced and I breezed through the test?  How much growth would happen?  None.  

I collect nuggets of truth -- and listening to that quadriplegic woman added another nugget of truth to my life.  We are given what we need.  As unpleasant as things can be, as heart-rending, as painful, as soul-searching . . . . we are given what we need.  We don't always understand the Why's, but when you come to get a small glimpse of the God who loves us, we begin to trust Him that He knows the Why.  He does.  He knows us that intimately.

1 Nephi 3:29 Why Didn't God Intervene? PART II

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Consequences:  But at the same time, I think we can abuse the privileges of this life.  We can willfully be reckless, ingest harmful substances that disorient us and take away our freedom, do stupid things.  I think we have a responsibility to choose wisely with the knowledge and information we have been given.  

I don't believe God will take away the consequences of my willful choices -- he's not going to magically erase the effects of too many trips to McDonald's and the laziness that keeps me from the morning jog.  I know how to take care of my body, and if I end up with heart disease or diabetes, I know whose fault it will be.  If I choose to drive with a heavy foot, I then choose the possibility of an ugly accident or a speeding ticket.  If I choose mind-altering drugs, then I also choose the possibility of having someone take advantage of me or act in some way that will harm others.  If I choose to treat someone with ugliness, then I also choose the quality of that relationship, if there's one left.  One of God's greatest gifts to us was our having the ability to choose, and He's not going to interfere with the consequences of those choices.  Some of us have to learn by the School of Hard Knocks, and life is a wonderful teacher.  God will not take those teaching moments away, no matter how difficult.

The God I worship respects my choices and let's me live with the consequences-- not as a punishment, but as a learning tool.

1 Nephi 3:29 Why Didn't God Intervene? PART I

1 Nephi 3:29   "And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold, an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them, saying: Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and this because of your iniquities? Behold ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands."

(PART 1) The God I worship intervenes and protects, when it's in our best interest.  In this part of Nephi's story, his older brothers were very angry with him, frustrated at their failed attempts to get important writings from Laban, and took their frustrations out on their younger brothers by beating them with a rod.  In a nutshell, an angel was sent to intervene, the beating stopped and Nephi was successful at getting the important writings.  

So tonight, as I'm pondering this verse for the umpteenth time, my statement seems to beg the question, "Well, what about when He doesn't intervene?"  

I think sometimes people think God is a puppeteer, that we are all attached with strings and He can make things happen, or not happen, down here on earth.  If He can send an angel for Nephi, why didn't he send an angel to me when I needed one?  If he can intervene, why doesn't He intervene all the time and protect innocents?  Why doesn't he stop the freak accidents or man's inhumanity to man?  

I have a few thoughts about this, and I'll share what I feel, but it will have to be over a couple blog posts.

Interference:  We live in a fallen, mortal world.  Accidents happen and we make mistakes because of our weaknesses.  Sometimes we are afflicted because of other people's weaknesses or errors or mistakes or ignorance.  I believe God can intervene and protect us.  I know there have been multiple times driving when I've barely avoided an accident, either by my own negligence or others' negligence.  I believe there's help on the other side of the veil that tries to guide us, whisper warnings or impressions or conjure up miracles.  I firmly believe that we all have an allotted time here, and if we don't abuse it, we can be protected by the follies we experience. I don't see this scenario as God patiently standing by, waiting for something awful to happen, and then swooping in to save the day.  No.  I believe He knows mankind so well that he knows what kinds of decisions will be made and what repercussions will come from those decisions.  I think he can inspire people to be instruments in His hands to help others.  I think He can prepare and direct angels, seen and unseen,  to help us when needed.