Unseen Light

Often times people will pose the question: If God is just, why does he allow bad things to happen to good people?” I could write a post talking about the differences between the standards of God and men. I could explain in detail about how all things work together for good. I could talk about the difference between what we see and what God sees. Yet, I do not think that would be effective. It is very easy for me to explain that all things work together for good. The problem comes from the fact we can not always see how. I can tell you that losing your job was part of God's plan and that there was a reason for it, but that does not lend much comfort when the reason can not be seen. So instead of what basically would amount to a lecture, I have here a tale that I think better puts things into perspective.

One day, a man left his wife and home and went out to spend a day at sea. The ocean was a deep wide blue, and light danced upon it like glass. He went far beyond the shore, to the point where it was just barely in view. His small boat sat calmly on the still water. He began to relax and enjoy the moment. For a while, the sea was very peaceful.

However, a great storm was gathering that day. As the sun began to set, it hit the area in full force. The man noticed too late that the previously stagnant water was becoming rough and wavy. The boat continuously rose and fell on the enormous waves, and strong winds threatened to push it out to the deep sea. Because of the wind and the rain and the growing darkness, the man was unable to see the shoreline. He became worried. The man knew that if he did not make for shore soon, he would be lost to the depths of the ocean.

Suddenly, he noticed a bright orange light shining out from the shoreline. It was almost blinding against the backdrop of the dark sky. Grateful, the man rushed towards it as fast as the storm would allow. Silently promising to repay the creator of this makeshift lighthouse. Following the beacon, the man reached shore with his life, and survived the terrible storm.

The man rushed home with joy, eager to share his story with his wife. When he arrived however, he found her in tears. Their home had caught fire she said, gesturing to the hollow charred frame of a house. The fire had gone out of control and lit the entire place ablaze. She dissolved once again into tears and awaited his reaction.

The man looked at the broken house, and then back to his wife. He was silent for a moment, and then began to laugh loudly. Incredulous, the wife began to demand how he could be laughing at a time like this. He looked over at her with a half smile and explained to her his ordeal at sea. Not understanding, she asked why on earth that gave him cause to laugh. The man replied, “Do you not understand my love? The bright beacon I saw, the one that saved my life and guided me back to you, was the light of our burning house!”

-BlackFox

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