In the article involving evangelical leaders embracing the mystery of God in the Dec. 1, 2005, issue of The Alabama Baptist, one pastor was quoted as saying, “I don’t know why bad things happen to innocent people.”
Well, at the risk of sounding terse, let me say this is no mystery. Bad things happen firstly because of sin and secondly because no one is innocent. That is why everyone needs a Savior.
Truly the God who has no beginning and no end and yet is the Alpha and Omega and who orchestrated a perfect creation is an enigma. The fact that man messed up God’s handiwork and is now paying the price for his willful disobedience is not.
God, at times, uses tragedy for retribution. At times, it is for admonishment (read the Book of Job). At other times, things just happen because of sins both past and present. God is no dictator. He allows man to choose.
Tragedies, as we have witnessed recently, can bring out the best or the worst in us. It can work out for good or for evil. From the beginning, it has been man’s choice.
Lon Pearson
Decatur, Ala.
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