Central Beliefs (Graces and Mercies)

I'm currently in the process of leading a group of men through a transformational study titled Heart of a Warrior. If you are interested, you can find out more information about it at the blog of its author, Dr. Greg Bourgond here. Through the course of Heart of a Warrior, each man is lead to examine his heart by evaluating four elements that ultimately cause behavior: his central beliefs, his core values, his worldview and his motives. Central beliefs are building blocks that are used to shape and influence how we view the world.

Recently, while reading my devotional passages from Job, I felt led to explore two central beliefs in light of my current situation. The first one is that God is sovereign; the second one is that God is good. These might seem fairly elementary, and I would agree. If I don't believe them 100% at this time, then how I view our circumstances will be affected.

God is Sovereign. I have no doubt that God is the ultimate authority in the universe. No atom is outside of his control. He is knowledgeable about Ian's condition to a degree that I cannot grasp. He has also been in control of this situation from before I was born, overseeing the training of his doctors, orchestrating every aspect of Ian's treatment. If He has anything less than complete control, then He is no longer God.

God is Good. This is where I've been having trouble; it's taken me three attempts to get this post completed. If God is good, then why did He let this happen to Ian? I can understand that He has purposes that are beyond my understanding. Also, I know that men with far greater insight have wrestled with this issue for centuries, so it's pure hubris to think that I will be able to grasp this. But that won't stop me from trying.

Where I was running into trouble was that I forgot about the fallen state of our world. While it is correct that God has a purpose and a plan for Ian's condition, it's just as true that we live in a cursed existence, in a creation that declared war with the Lord of the universe. The result of that choice of separation has been all of the suffering that mankind has experienced.

If God chose to not interact with us, then Ian would still have his tumor. I was assuming that the baseline was a tumor-free Ian, whereas the truth is that because of the nature of this world, any health that we enjoy is a blessing and a mercy from God. Additionally, my merciful and compassionate Lord is watching over this situation, using it for His glory. To someone who is unfamiliar with God, this might seem cold and uncaring. The greater truth is that Ian's condition is being used to draw men, women and children closer to God. Instead of limiting his goodness to one little boy, our Heaven Father is lavishing His goodness and care, offering His gift of unmeasurable grace on everyone who looks at our websites.

I've been doing my best to be very conscious of how I pray for Ian. It's not a matter of whether God can heal Ian. Of that, I have no doubt. This is a being who spoke the universe into existence. Galaxies, nebulae, planets were formed by His will. Healing a seven-year-old is not beyond Him. But I pray that God's will is that Ian's health be restored. If He chooses not to heal my son, does that mean that He is not good? As long as I have a correct perspective, the answer is definite; He always has been, is now, and always will be a good God:

You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.

Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.

In the day of my trouble I will call you you,
for you will answer me.

- Psalm 86:5-7

The difference is that my definition of "goodness" is often too small and selfish to line up with God's purposes.