However, this meeting has been a significant milestone in my journey and it is one that I will (honestly) probably forget, but the questions and ideas that were spawned from it will continue to drive me long into my life ahead. es, I’m being vague, I tend to be. If you really want to know more, because I lack the self-confidence to believe anyone actually cares, then ask.

After all, I believe in an omnipotent and omniscient (all-powerful and all-knowing) God and to think that for a moment that an accident occurs in life without His hand behind it would be doubting the God I serve. [Okay, so it raises questions about why disasters happen, but that'll take me too long.]

My life, your life, the life of the person you just saw walk by…is no accident. Each one of us has a purpose and a reason for being here. While we ask the question “WHY?” all the time, I’ve found that it is a lot better just not to know. Better to flow with the tide and see where it takes us. After all, my God is in control and He knows best whether we think so or not.

No longer does this word carry positive overtones, rather, now, quite negative connotations. You say, “please”, when you need help and admit that you cannot accomplish the task at hand on your own. It may be seen as weak and feeble. “Please, sir, can you help me?” There is, almost, a desperation implied that one is hanging from the edge of cliff.

(Oh, the joys of ranting…) I could say more but it would just be nothing more than a rant. At the end of the day, “please” is still highly appreciated. I, still, do think though that there is a decline in manners and respectfulness in society and I would hope that each one of us would not forget that we do relate and communicate with other people in this world and that it does not revolve around us.

A common misconception about Christianity and faith in God is that is the miracle cure to whatever problem you might have. So very, very wrong! As we’ve seen through the introduction of James, life is one of trials and hardship for those who faith in God. Let the hard times roll! It’s almost the slogan for the Christian.

However, the misconception goes further to say that God is the bad guy. All this stuff, it’s all God’s fault. Well, in some ways, it is. God, ultimately, is in control and all-powerful. Without getting too deep into why bad things happen if God is such a loving God, just imagine loving parents who don’t ever discipline, scold, allow their children to be released into the harsh realities of the real world. (If you want me to talk about it more, ask and I’ll put in on the list for my next series.)

James says:

When tempted no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone…

James seems to provide a fairly logical explanation, but I gather for most people these days it just doesn’t cut it. I could rant about why people don’t like an explanation James gives but I’ll contain myself. The logic that an all-powerful God who claims to love humanity yet doesn’t lift a finger to remove injustice and suffering doesn’t sit well with a lot of people. Yet, ironically, on the flipside, people cannot come to terms with submitting control of their world to this all-powerful God. It’s a vicious never-ending cycle that the human mind will never comprehend and accept.

The simple truth that James states is God is not evil. God may have been the creator of all things, but He himself is not evil. I heard a great explanation of what evil is - that is, the absence of God. Where God is not, Satan stands in God’s place and assumes influence where God is no longer. Though, it must be said, Christians face temptations and it is only by the permission and allowance given by the all-powerful God (see the story of Job) where temptation and hardship are allowed.

I keep edging to answer the question of why an all-powerful God would allow such things but this will end up being an essay. In short, the simple answer is faith. Faith is an act of trust that this all-powerful God knows what He’s doing and that, while painful, in the end has the best intention in mind for each and every person. Now, it’s up to each and every person to accept that fact and place their trust, place their faith, in God and allow Him to work His wonders in their lives. Beyond that, I can’t expect to satisfy any desire to have an answer to the question.

Next time I’ll be look at source of temptation.