Justice and Judgment

Today I'm very aware of the need for justice and judgment. Unfortunately, I'm also aware that I've behaved in manners (recently) worthy of judgment. I see it pretty clearly (well that's all ways questionable) and all the judgment language in the Bible is actually comforting in this moment. It's comforting because there is a lot of stuff around me that deserves justice and punishment. I've heard, and I've done, a lot of railing against God about why he allows so much pain and suffering. But if you look at it, He says pretty often and clearly that He doesn't like what's going on either.

I know the question that follows a statement like that "why does he allow it to continue?" It's a painful question. I don't know. Maybe it was foolish to bring it up. But (and I say this to myself mostly) it feels crazy that when we ask these questions about suffering and then part of the answer God gives is your responsible and I don't like what your doing. We think He's being too mean.

We really don't want to see, maybe because we feel helpless, we feel more like bystanders than participants. But he made us participants, co-creators. He didn't make angels co-creators, He made them servants. That is a striking difference. He seems to not want to violate His own design and intention for us as co-creating beings, even if we wind up co-creating with His enemy. That one baffles me.

Today I trust God, I trust His judgment, even if that means He has to point out how I'm on the wrong side of things. It's easier to trust when you remember that He also says I want you to be on the right side of things and I've made a way for you to end up on the right side.

Lord teach us to carry judgment and mercy together. Let not either drive us to insanity. Help us return to co-creating with you.
Amen