God's Favor

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As I stand on the other side of the fence from Christianity I am able to observe things I once believed in others and see how absurd it is. I can see people making justifications so tremendously self centered; so arrogantly, when things go their way and making excuses and trying to explain things away when things go wrong for them or others. It is truly remarkable. 

Let's take this past week, as an example. 

We have been suffering a drought since March. Rain had come across Lake Michigan time and time again and just dissolved as it came on shore. Crops were starting to shrivel up. 

This week, we got the opposite. Flooding. We got about 6 inches of rain in a few days time. It was also the week of our local fair. The whole thing was swamped and ruined and even had to close early. The week was topped off with a tornado that ripped through the area causing a lot of damage. 

This was just bad luck. Just bad timing. It's climate change at work. Droughts and floods. Weather extremes. 

When there is an event like a wedding or a fair or a graduation and the weather is picture perfect, those enjoying the weather will thank God for it. I know that for me, I saw it as being in God's favor and that I was purposely gifted with a perfect day. I am guessing that thought process was not unique to me. 

There are some Christians that see the weather as proof of/against God's favor. So, when there was a big event that gets ruined or a city flooded or a hurricane hits; it was God sending a message to people and part of his plan. The whole "mysterious ways" argument. That can also work when those people of favor have their wedding ruined or their fair flooded. They will talk about how God had a plan and this was to teach them something and make them better people. When it happens to inner cities and affects the down-trodden it's a punishment from God but when it happens to them it's just a loving God teaching them about patience and perseverance. 

It's not any of that. 

It's random. It's a weather pattern. Did God drop a tornado on Janelle's house to teach her about trusting him? Actually, if you read the Bible stuff like that happened all the time. NO! That's crazy. Good weather happens and bad weather happens. God doesn't pick and choose and if he does he is a bigger prick than I even imagined. 

I just find it interesting now, listening to people ask for good weather and assume a beautiful day means they are the chosen one. I will admit I used to be under the same delusion. I am free from it now and life has never felt more full of purpose.

  

 

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