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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Is Your Name Mack Too?"
November 20, 2008
This week I met a man named Mack. He was heartbroken over the tragic loss of his
daughter, Missy. She had been abducted by a serial killer and a great sadness had come
over him. Over the next few days I walked with Mack as he entered a valley of sorrow
and watched as he rediscovered what was most important in his life. I also had a front row
seat when he bumped into God. You should have heard the banter as they talked about
pain, evil, grace and forgiveness.
Mackenzie Allen Phillips is the main character in a new book entitled, "The Shack." It is
written by William P. Young. I highly recommend it. You see this isn't just another
mystery but it delves into life's greatest mystery. It asks the question "If God is so good,
then how come he lets such terrible things happen to innocent people?" Mack is a modern
day Job. He is a decent man who is trying to find peace in the world when the sky falls on
him.
Mack always believed in God, but this tragedy causes him to question everything he had
been taught. It's funny but as I was reading this book, I began to notice that Mack wasn't
alone in his pain. This past week I ran into one person after another who had been hurt or
bruised or broken by the various circumstances in life. I talked with a young woman who
was dealing with a tragic accident where a child was killed. I spoke with a woman whose
husband decided to move out after several years of marriage. I touched base with a family
who was dealing with the sudden death leaving three young kids behind.
I began to realize that life leaves many of us broken in its path. As I thought about
many of the people I know, it dawned on me that most of them have their scars. Some we
see. Others are hidden. It is no wonder that so many people question God's goodness or
at the very least, they question his ability to really do anything.
I've gone to seminary and I have to admit that some of the answers we give to these
questions seem trite. We look every bit as foolish as Job's friends did in that biblical book.
We end up looking like we are making excuses for God or worse yet, we blame the victim
for their circumstances. I think that is why I really enjoyed Mack's story. It acknowledges
the problem and explains in very simple terms why God allows bad things to happen.
In the end we see a different picture of God. He is not the angry, self-righteous, almighty
king of heaven who rules with an iron fist. He is the loving Father who gives us great
freedom as we discover our gifts and abilities. He lets us go even though we may reject
him, in the hope that we will return to him. And if we stumble, or get knocked down along
the way, he is never far from us. God is ready to pick us up and carry us until we can
stand up again.
As I finished the book I had tears in my eyes for it spoke to my experience of God. For
when I was growing up it was God's love that saved me. He took this kid from a broken
home, a kid who felt unloved and rejected, and reminded him that he was special. The
good news is that God wants you to know that too. He loves you and he will be there to
bind up your pain and disappointment. He will not ever leave you or forget you. That is
his promise and God always keeps his promise. Just ask Mack.
God Bless! See you in Church. Cal
November 20, 2008
This week I met a man named Mack. He was heartbroken over the tragic loss of his
daughter, Missy. She had been abducted by a serial killer and a great sadness had come
over him. Over the next few days I walked with Mack as he entered a valley of sorrow
and watched as he rediscovered what was most important in his life. I also had a front row
seat when he bumped into God. You should have heard the banter as they talked about
pain, evil, grace and forgiveness.
Mackenzie Allen Phillips is the main character in a new book entitled, "The Shack." It is
written by William P. Young. I highly recommend it. You see this isn't just another
mystery but it delves into life's greatest mystery. It asks the question "If God is so good,
then how come he lets such terrible things happen to innocent people?" Mack is a modern
day Job. He is a decent man who is trying to find peace in the world when the sky falls on
him.
Mack always believed in God, but this tragedy causes him to question everything he had
been taught. It's funny but as I was reading this book, I began to notice that Mack wasn't
alone in his pain. This past week I ran into one person after another who had been hurt or
bruised or broken by the various circumstances in life. I talked with a young woman who
was dealing with a tragic accident where a child was killed. I spoke with a woman whose
husband decided to move out after several years of marriage. I touched base with a family
who was dealing with the sudden death leaving three young kids behind.
I began to realize that life leaves many of us broken in its path. As I thought about
many of the people I know, it dawned on me that most of them have their scars. Some we
see. Others are hidden. It is no wonder that so many people question God's goodness or
at the very least, they question his ability to really do anything.
I've gone to seminary and I have to admit that some of the answers we give to these
questions seem trite. We look every bit as foolish as Job's friends did in that biblical book.
We end up looking like we are making excuses for God or worse yet, we blame the victim
for their circumstances. I think that is why I really enjoyed Mack's story. It acknowledges
the problem and explains in very simple terms why God allows bad things to happen.
In the end we see a different picture of God. He is not the angry, self-righteous, almighty
king of heaven who rules with an iron fist. He is the loving Father who gives us great
freedom as we discover our gifts and abilities. He lets us go even though we may reject
him, in the hope that we will return to him. And if we stumble, or get knocked down along
the way, he is never far from us. God is ready to pick us up and carry us until we can
stand up again.
As I finished the book I had tears in my eyes for it spoke to my experience of God. For
when I was growing up it was God's love that saved me. He took this kid from a broken
home, a kid who felt unloved and rejected, and reminded him that he was special. The
good news is that God wants you to know that too. He loves you and he will be there to
bind up your pain and disappointment. He will not ever leave you or forget you. That is
his promise and God always keeps his promise. Just ask Mack.
God Bless! See you in Church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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