Where’s God?

I sat and held a friend this week as they sobbed over receiving the news they never wanted.

I didn’t have answers. I didn’t have the perfect advice. I just held them. And silently prayed. And said, “I’m sorry. I don’t have the words. I’m here.”

When’s the last time you looked at someone you loved, speechless, as you watch them experience the unbearable? When’s the last time you felt hot tears pour down your cheeks, as you faced your own personal nightmare?

Sometimes the brokenness and sin in our world push us so far into the depths of darkness, it’s hard to remember what sunlight even feels like. As I sat with my friend this past week, I asked them, “Where do you see God in this situation?” Through muffled tears, they immediately whispered, “Nowhere.”

Does it feel like he’s nowhere today? Or is someone you love wondering where on earth God is as they navigate the deepest valley that they have ever faced?

I wonder how Abraham would have responded to that question, as he faced the reality of sacrificing his own son. I wonder how Job would answer, as he lost everything and everyone that he loved. I wonder how Jesus would have replied, as He felt the weight of the world’s pain, as God the Father turned His face away.

I am so sorry for the moments where it felt like you were all alone. I’m so sorry for the moments where the darkness of this world convinced you the Light was gone. I’m so sorry for the moments where you have held a friend, speechless, wishing you could take all the pain away. And it is in these moments that we face the same challenge Abraham faced: trust God, surrender the outcome.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

- Proverbs 3:5-6

Abraham didn’t know that his story was foreshadowing the Savior of our world. Job didn’t know that God would finish his story by blessing him tenfold. We don’t know how our stories will end. And the ending, good or bad, won’t take away the pain of our storm. But together we can choose trust over rebellion. We can choose to believe in an eternal hope that will surpass all the pain of our present circumstances.

Together we can believe that when we trust God and surrender the outcome, we aren’t promised earthly joy, but we are promised eternal life.

When we trust Him, He will make our paths straight. Not straight by our standards, not straight by the world’s definition, but straight in the eternal perspective of God’s glory. Abraham faced a huge sacrifice, but God showed up. Job lost everything, but there was more to his story. Jesus bore the weight of the world’s sin, but Sunday was coming.

Because of Jesus, your valley is not the end. Your storm is not the final destination. Your loved ones don’t have to live in brokenness. Sunday is coming. There is more. Trust God, surrender the outcome.

I know it’s hard, but I’d rather do hard with Him than do hard alone. Let’s trust together.

Cristina Schmitter

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