NOTE: I wrote this four months after finding my 19 year old son after he’d taken his own life…
There have been moments these past months that I’ve wanted to give up on God.
I’m simply being honest.
As one who grew up in a violent, alcoholic home, I witnessed more violence as a child than I care to remember.
As a full-time pastor now for 30+ years, I’ve had, on occasion, the unfortunate opportunity to see the very ugly side of what some have otherwise called “Christianity.”
But those pale in comparison to the events of May 13th, 2013, when my world caved in around me.
In light of the pain we suffer on planet earth, what proof is there that there is a God? More than that, what proof is there that that God really loves me?
From their outstanding work, “Name Above All Names,” Alistair Begg & Sinclair Ferguson write,
“It is the cross alone that ultimately proves the love of God to us – not the circumstances of our lives.
We must not allow ourselves to be tricked into thinking that if things are going well with us, Then we can be sure of God’s love. For life can often seem dark and painful. Things do not always go well for us.
Rather, we look to the sacrifice of the cross and the proof God gave there of His love. ‘God [demonstrated proof of] His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Romans 5:8)
This is the proof I need. This is the truth I need to hear. This dispels the lies of the enemy.”
This is the unstoppable, indefensible, indisputable love of God in Christ Jesus.
I love you, Nick
