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Why Did God Make Ebola?
Question for you religious types: The other day, we were working on digging a foundation for a shed I’m building. We ended up digging up an underground wasp nest. My daughter is mildly allergic to wasp stings, so she freaks out when even a single wasp is flying around. She asked me “Why did God make wasps? What do they do besides make nests where they shouldn’t and sting people? Do they pollinate flowers like bees do?” My answer was “I don’t know.”
When I was reading about Ebola the other day, I asked the same question: “Why did God make Ebola?” Any takers?
Published in General
My favorite is a variation on:
With all due respect, you have the stature of a latrine scrubber; or
Nothing personal, but if you were my dog, I’d put you down for ugliness; or
Don’t take this the wrong way, but I wish you were a chandelier: hanging all day, and burning all night.
I knew a guy in the Army who liked to say “If someone says ‘With all due respect’ it means they are about to disrespect you.”
For me it’s the opposite. Tradition means nothing without a scriptural reference point. I have no issue with tradition. But I have serious issue with tradition for the sake of tradition. But,like I said, it’s an old argument, that none before use sorted out.
I ask questions all the time. To not do so, leaves one in the dark. I, however, except there are absolute truths. It eliminates secular relativism. It’s very liberating. Try it sometime. Life will be boundless! It is fantastic, by the way.
Is this biblical, observation or hypothesis?
You think I haven’t tried it sometime? Why do you think I haven’t?
Actually, let me get straight to the point: I have tried it sometime. I cannot honestly say it has made my life boundless in the here and now. The best I can hope for is that, at the end of ages, the frustrations and limitations that currently bedevil my life will have been overcome.
And anyone here on Ricochet who knows me very well also knows that I am hardly a secular relativist.
Not to be glib, but maybe you’re doing it wrong. Want some help?
I appreciate the concern, but am also doubtful that that a few quick tips from you would make my growth in Christ any easier. Many other people’s well-meaning quick tips in the past have not made it any easier, so why should yours? (These tips often do come across as shallow and glib, in case you’re wondering.)
People can still be faithful Christians while struggling with unhappiness and frustration.
It’s true that Christians who don’t struggle with unhappiness and frustration often suspect those who do struggle of simply having insufficient faith, but everything I’ve learned about life tells me that these struggles aren’t so simple.
(If you want a Biblical reference, try Job.)
Ok, no problem. Just thought I’d ask. Good luck with your path.
I get Job. But really, do we really have to be Job ? No. Try this:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Off load Midge, off load. When you learn how to do this don’t forget to say thank you once a week. On a Sunday. In a church near you. It is true freedom.
I say “thank you” more than once a week, thank you, and have been a churchgoer for most of my life. Do you realize how trite and irrelevant your advice could sound, especially to someone who is already a Christian?
And yes, it has to be Job, and the penitential psalms, and a heart that is restless until it finally rests with God, at a point far beyond the grave when the last trace of sin and error is finally burnt away. Some people simply crave God, irrespective of whether they have firsthand experience of His yoke being easy or His burden being light. God gives some people restless hearts.
I am thankful, though, that you find so much contentment in your faith. I am glad of the gift God has given you, and I hope you realize how great a gift it is.
I freely admit I don’t know you. But why would you take, as a church going Christian, simple advice to say thank you as trite and irrelevant? I’m often reminded to say “thank you” by just being out, amidst the world, simply observing. It’s freely accepted. I don’t understand your angst on this. I will ponder though.
Yes, He does. Each one of us. Even Mother Theresa had her dark night of the soul. Jesus did as well. “Father, why have you abandoned me?” I think it’s a universal human trait to be restless, to thirst, to doubt.
I am a cradle Catholic. My faith has not ebbed or flowed. It’s been constant. I know I am lucky/gifted in that respect. If I wasn’t Catholic, I cannot say I would have found my way to the Church. I still have a little St. Augustine in me. I am, however, flummoxed by those who don’t see the Truth of it. That is my problem to temper. Some days I’m better at it than others.