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Enjoy Life, Enjoy God


Dale Patterson

RATIONALE

May 18, 2010

Rationale

We live in a world that demands explanations. Whether it be an oil well in the Gulf spewing crude, or we're troubled by some circumstance, there must be an explanation. And we'll posit one whether we like it or not.

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"Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
- John 9:2 TNIV
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There must be a blame for a person born blind. 2000 years ago, it was thought sin caused most suffering, defects, etc. "So who was it? Whose fault?" When we suffer we cry out to God in the same way thinking surely someone is to blame; some great or evil purpose is being served. However, Jesus has none of it! "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." (9:3) Not sin! Not blame, but behold God redeems even this tragedy. It's almost as if Jesus says, "Stop this blame game, give up on figuring out the rationale for human pain, but look to the Lord as your hope and strength."

What if they had a valid rationale? Would that make the blind person's life any better? He'd still be blind. He gets something so much more. Let's not ignore Jesus' wisdom: "Neither!!!" Let's stop affixing blame or pondering a reason behind human pain and suffering; let's point one another to the one who redeems it, even a man born blind.
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson