A DIALOGUE WITH GOD ABOUT SUFFERING

God.
(I am here, my child.)

May I ask you a question?
(Anytime, my child.)

Can we do it in English?
(We are already doing it. You know my band of communication is broad enough.)

OK. There is so much suffering in the world.
(I see it too. What is it you want to ask?)

Let me get to the heart of the question, OK?
(No problem, my child.)

Aren't you willing to stop the suffering?
(You bet. I bet my Son on it!)

You meant Jesus Christ?
(You got that right!)

OK, suppose you are all-loving.
(It is a foolproof fact sealed by the blood of my Son.)

But not all people buy in that.
(Does that become my problem again?)

Sort of.
(Go on, please.)

Alright. Aren't you powerful enough to stop all suffering?
(Uh-huh. That is not what you are asking, isn't it?)

Nope. But why don't you just stop it?
(I see where you are coming from. Want to hear it?)

I am dying to get an answer.
(You need not be, my dear child. Come on, let's discuss.)

So why don't you just stop all suffering instantaneously?
(You mean like that, a snap?)

Uh-huh, just like a snap.
(When are you ready for it?)

What do you mean? I am ready now. Some people wanted it yesterday.
(I have a plan already set in motion.)

Like what?
(Remember the Day of the Lord?)

Yeah, it is mentioned in the Old Testament.
(And in the New Testament too.)

You mean the return of Christ and the ushering in of a New Heaven and a New Earth?
(Exactly, my child.)

There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
(Perfect! You are quoting from Revelation 21:4.)

But my question still remains: why not now?
(It may well be. The waiting has been long enough.)

Are you serious?
(Am I not? The creation waits in eager expectations...)

for the Son of God to be revealed.
(Good memory! That is Romans 8: 19.)

But why not in the days of Noah, Habakkuk, or China's Quyuan?
(Most of you would not have been born then! My precious child.)

You mean we have to be born?
(What do you think? Not wanting to?)

OK, OK. So you will stop suffering, once and for all.
(Did I not say that clearly?)

What do you tell people who complain about suffering?
(What did the Bible say?)

Suffering is a direct result of our sin.
(Most of the time, but not always. People often misunderstand that part.)

You mean cases of suffering like Job, Joseph, and the man born blind in John 9.
(You got it right.)

Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
(There is something positive about suffering, as it is well said in Romans 5:4.)

But there is suffering that does not make sense, period.
(I see what you are getting into. State it.)

Like innocent babies who starve to death, like the babies with AIDS, like...
(Slow down. Let's talk about it one at a time.)

So what do you say about babies dying of starvation?
(Where on earth are the foods for them?)

They do not have it. Don't you see it?
(What is my command to all of you then?)

Love thy neighbor as thyself. To do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the Lord your God.
(Well said. Then just do it.)

But, but, but...
(But what?)

You mean you supply the food and we fail to distribute?
(That is the point. People criticize me for their own failure!)

May I ask why you do not directly distribute food from heaven?
(You like it the way Israelites were fed in the desert? They disliked it so much.)

OK. I get it. May I ask another question? Did all the dead babies go to heaven?
(You will get to see many. But can you summarize our discussion before we go on?)

First, suffering is largely a result of our rebellion again you.
(And?)

Second, suffering is temporary and will be done away with in your appointed time.
(And?)

Third, even suffering has merits, for it builds up perseverance and character and hope.
(And?)

Fourth, suffering compels us to show compassion and love for the suffering souls.
(And?)

Fifth, strangely, suffering is a character of God for Christ has suffered for our sake.
(Well said, my dear child. Do help those disadvantaged and underprivileged in your midst.)

(2004/4/20)