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Questions About Life and God
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By EveryStudent.com
Suffering in this world never seems to change. Never goes away.
While generation after generation slips by, humanity doesn’t seem to be getting any kinder. Sexual abuse, fraud, murders, slavery, corruption, racism—all continue without pause.
We sense that this world is not what it ought to be. And though we can imagine a better world, we just can’t seem to get there.
So, what can we do? Perhaps we should look outside of humanity. There is an option. God calls us, invites us to draw on his kindness and love.
You might ask, how do we know that God is kind and loving?
In fact, how can we conclusively know anything about God?
The only way to know what God is like, is if God chooses to reveal himself to us. Otherwise it’s just conjecture on our part.
We can’t look at people in this world, or even look at our lives, and from them deduce what God’s character is like or what he desires for us.
Each person, given their life experiences, would have their own rendering of God. And each would be as incorrect as the next person. Our personal circumstances will lead us to faulty conclusions.
To know who God is, what God is like… God must tell us what he is like. He must show us. And what is true of him must be true about him for everyone.
When we allow God to define himself, when we listen to what God says is true about himself, we find he is far kinder than we would ever imagine.
Perhaps you wonder if God’s kindness extends to you?
This will show you how you can personally experience his love and kindness.
First, let’s look at this amazing environment he created for us. It is one indication of his kindness toward us.
The first sentence in the Bible reads, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”1
And what an amazing Earth God created for us. Everything that we need to sustain our lives, God has provided for us—the air to breathe, water, food.
He’s given us a body and a mind that allow us to connect with others and flourish in this life on planet Earth.
Have you ever considered that all the products, inventions, medicines, ships, cities, satellites–everything that humans can create today—come from substances that were already provided for us?
All of this, given to us. God’s kindness.
And he went much further when he created beauty.
God could have placed us in an environment where we would look up to the sky and see only an oppressive ceiling of dark purple slate with orange vertical stripes, that never changed.
Instead, we look up to see a gentle blue sky with constantly evolving clouds, bookended by vibrant hues of sunrises and sunsets. This too is in constant motion, interspersed sometimes by ominous dark clouds and spectacular displays of lightning.
As nighttime comes, the moon and stars blanket the night sky reminding us with wonder that we stand on one planet in the midst of billions of galaxies. Truly, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”2
Or venture into forests and you’re enveloped by ascending trees of various heights, shapes and textures. We instantly relax in the quiet colors of green and brown vegetation, grey rocks, punctuated with colorful flowers and wild birds. We love the soft whistle of the wind through branches, the rustle of a bird or chipmunk on the ground.
If we come across a stream or lake, are we not drawn to pause and stare at the water’s movement, reflection, and glimmer? To listen to the movement of the water and the way it laps against the shore?
And as we stand at the edge of expansive oceans or breathtaking mountain ranges, it reassures us to know that something exists much larger, much grander than ourselves. It’s comforting to be reminded that we are not the center of the universe, nor do we need to be.
Psychologists encourage us to spend time in the rejuvenating, soul-restoring benefits of nature to lessen anxiety and build hope. God’s kindness.
Lastly, let’s take note of the wild creativity and variety of species he has fashioned. Imagine if there were only one kind of animal. One kind of bird, or fish. In his kindness, God displays astounding creativity, species yet to be discovered.
And isn’t it wonderful that as humans created by him in his image, he gives us the ability and imagination to create?
Even in our creativity, God is still involved. There are thousands of examples of how God’s nature equips us, guides us, in our creativity. Here are a few.
The shape of a kingfisher beak inspired the design of high-speed trains in Japan, a design that reduces noise and improves aerodynamics.
Octopus tentacles inspired the robotic arms used in surgery.
Termite mounds showed architects a natural ventilation structure to regulate temperature without air conditioning.
Woodpeckers slamming their beaks into tree trunks in pursuit of bugs led to safer football helmets.
There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of examples like this.
In nature, God provided all that’s needed for our lives on Earth, plus variety, plus beauty for our enjoyment, and even guidance for us as we create. The kindness of God.
Now let’s get a little more personal. You can know God’s kindness in your life on a very intimate level, just for you.
Religions teach that you’d better obey, sacrifice, show up for rituals, treat others well, avoid sin, give money, be loyal to the church/temple/mosque, etc.
In other words, prove that you are good enough to be accepted and loved by God.
That’s religion’s message, but not what God tells us. God is immensely kinder than we would ever imagine.
God assures us that his love is unlimited and unmerited. “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us.”3
It is an unconditional love for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, religion, social status or behavior. “For God so loved the world…”4
And it is a love that does not ever fade or fluctuate. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases…”5
God has said, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."6
Imagine being loved by someone where nothing you do can make it go away. God’s love never disappears.
We see God’s love in his kind actions toward us.
In kindness, God created nature for us. And in kindness God reaches out and invites us to know him personally, intimately.
God knows everything about us. He knows our struggles, our feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities, our conflicts with people. He knows the inner weights of anxiety, fear, and insecurity that he wants to heal.
So Jesus invites us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest … learn from me … and you will find rest for your souls.”7
When we see life from his perspective, shared with us in the Bible, this world begins to make sense.
We begin to understand how to live so that we can experience the life he created us to have, which Jesus referred to as “life, more abundantly.” It’s a life with purpose, hope.
In kindness, he invites us to give to him the concerns that we carry.
Jesus made wildly generous offers like this, “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”8
He wants to help us avoid pitfalls in this life. So many of the problems we endure we bring upon ourselves. Bad decisions. Poor reactions to a situation. Words we wish we hadn’t said. He wants to help us navigate this life, thrive in it, if we will allow him to lead us.
Another great display of his kindness is the way he tenderly changes those behaviors or hindrances in our lives that we’ve tried to change but can’t. Addictions. Anger. Anxiety. Fear. Hatred. Guilt. Hopelessness.
Some former addicts will tell you that when they asked Jesus to come into their lives, their lives changed instantly. However, this is not true for everyone.
More often, as we trust him and get to know him, God will bring greater freedom and joy into our lives. Jesus said by listening to his words, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”9
Being in a relationship with God is like frequently spending time with a person you greatly admire. You find their insights have an impact on your life, energizing you to be a better person, and you’re grateful for their influence, their encouragement.
Jesus tells us, “I am the light of the world, Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”10
God’s kindness shows up in his guidance.
When we don’t know what to do, how to approach a situation, we can ask God. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith…”11
As we choose to trust God in the moments of our lives, we begin to experience all that he desires for us. But even more, as we rely on him, our relationship grows more intimate and we appreciate him more.
Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”12
Knowing God in this way doesn’t mean you will always emotionally feel close to God. Feelings come and go. Life is not always happy.
Oddly enough, people will tell you that they became most certain of God’s love when they were in the most dire of circumstances. Someone put it this way, “When all you have to count on is God, you’ll find that he is enough.”
The choice is ours, whether to go through life apart from God or with him.
Jesus gave this story: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on a rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
“And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
This does not mean that life with God is smooth and problem free, or that life without God is awful.
But it’s risky facing life’s storms on your own, relying on your own wisdom, your limited knowledge and strength, and keeping God distant.
If we open our hearts to him, we know that God will help us deal with whatever life throws at us.
Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”13
To be clear, you will still face problems. You might be in a car accident, or face financial difficulties, or heartache and pain. It’s part of being human.
But you can turn to God for guidance, comfort, encouragement. He does not merely instruct you. He can change situations, provide answers. Act on your behalf.
To summarize, God in his kindness offers to answer our prayers, give us guidance, change areas of our lives we wish were different, give us greater joy and freedom, and help us avoid pitfalls of bad decisions … all from knowing him.
Yet Jesus’ greatest act of kindness was what he did to remove the barrier of our sin that stood between us and him. On any given day, we don’t live up to our own standards, let alone God’s holiness.
Jesus carried all of our sins with him as he suffered and died on a cross for us. He did this so we could be fully forgiven. He suffered for our wrongs for us.
It’s like the way a parent would take their child’s cancer on their behalf if they could. Jesus took on our sin on the cross, so we could be forgiven.
Three days after his burial Jesus physically rose again, just as he said he would.
And he now offers us complete forgiveness, a relationship with him, and eternal life … all as a free gift. It is impossible to overstate God’s kindness.
“God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”14
There are enormous benefits to a relationship with God. But don’t come to him for all that he will give you. Come to him with a desire to know him, to listen to him, to have him guide your life. This is your opportunity to begin a relationship with God.
If you want to ask Jesus into your life, here is his invitation to you:
Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him…”15
To ask him into your life you could simply say to him:
Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Forgive me of my sins now. I want you in my life. I want to know you and follow you. Come into my life right now, as you promised you would, and begin to guide me and help me to know you better. Amen.
The first link below will help you start to know God better and grow in your new relationship with him.
| ► | I just asked Jesus into my life (some helpful information follows)... |
| ► | I may want to ask Jesus into my life, please explain this more fully... |
| ► | I have a question or comment... |
Footnotes: (1) Genesis 1:1 (2) Psalm 19:1 (3) 1John 4:10 (4) John 3:16 (5) Lamentations 3:22 (6) Jeremiah 31:3 (7) Matthew 11:28-30 (8) John 16:24 (9) John 8:32 (10) John 8:12 (11) James 1:5,6 (12) John 14:23 (13) John 16:33 (14) 1John 5:11-13 (15) Revelation 3:20
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