Whose Side Are You On?

I love music. I admire the creativity and the talent composers demonstrate through their melodies and lyrics. Music has a way of lifting one’s spirit and producing joy. It can call to mind the memory of a loved one or a time from your past that you reflect on with nostalgia. Music along with other forms of art, whether its dance, theatre, architecture, photography etc. provides yet another layer to the human experience which is to be celebrated because it entertains, inspires fresh ideas and cultivates new perspectives.
It's interesting how a lyric from a song can take on a completely different meaning in the mind of the listener from a writer’s original intent. I have often thought of Bob Dylan’s song “The Times They Are A-Changin’” recorded in the early 1960’s. This song was written during a tumultuous civil rights landscape in America with ongoing global threats generated by the Cold War, and the war in Vietnam. The words “and don’t criticize what you can’t understand” in the song appears to reference the disconnect that often takes place between parents and their children. In a similar context, critical comments directed towards God by us as His children are often voiced, and may even be justified when His representatives e.g. clergy (or abusive parents) act in ways that are contrary to His will. Blaming God for the atrocities mankind has inflicted on itself is no justification for misusing His name or using God as the brunt ones attempt at humour. Being critical of something not clearly understood is the result of a lack of wisdom and ignorance. What brings this specific lyric to mind is that God Himself says the same thing in His Word. It’s not very often that we see God exasperated with human beings as in the time of Noah where in Genesis 6:5-6 God’s lament is recorded as follows “The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that He had made man on the earth, and His heart was filled with pain”. Jeremiah 4:22 records man’s ignorance as follows (this is God speaking) “My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled at doing evil; they know not how to do good”. Paul himself expresses gratitude for God’s grace in 1 Timothy 1:13 where he writes “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief”. Thankfully references to God’s long suffering, compassion and love are cited way more often in Scripture and we would do well to remember that God is omnipotent, and we are not. Should you feel the need to be critical towards God for some reason, take the time to reflect whether you are doing so because of something you don’t fully understand.
The book of Job in the Old Testament provides further examples demonstrating the limits of human understanding. Questions that have echoed throughout human history are on display in this book e.g. why do bad things happen to good people? We also find comments from friends that sound eerily similar to pompous religious fanatics making the assumption that suffering must be the result of some hidden or unforgiven sin. Chapter 38:4 begins with God asking “where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?”, and continues with a series of penetrating questions through to chapter 42. We then hear Job’s response in verses 2-3 where he acknowledges “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, who is it that obscures my counsel without knowledge? Surely, I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know”. Job is a poignant example of how the preserved word of God tells us the truth. Life is filled with tragedy, sorrow and pain; replete with questions we’ll never know the answers to this side of Heaven and perhaps that’s the point. Since we have been given the ability to choose what to believe, we have the option of whether we place our faith in God or not. Faith defined in Hebrews 11:1 says “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”. It goes on to say in 11:6 “And without faith it’s impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him”. Some may take this to mean that if I have faith, I’ll be successful, or rich and life will be easy, but that is not what it says. Being rewarded by God, as a result of having faith in Him, means we will receive a deeper connection and awareness of His incredible love for us. Those who earnestly seek Him will be granted a peace that passes human understanding and will result in thinking less of self and more about how to be a blessing in the lives of others. Of course, our ultimate reward will be made manifest when we meet God and spend eternity in Heaven with Him and all those who have placed their trust in Him. Whose side are you on?