Where were you?

God, if you’re real, where were you when _____________ happened?

A valid question. 

A question that warrants a better answer than: “you just gotta have faith.” Or “there’s a reason for this.”  Or “somehow, God is using this for good.”

These seem to duck the question to some degree.

A lot of Christians give Christianity a bad name.  And many see Christians as promoters of ignorance and quick, easy, dismissive answers – discouraging the questioner from asking.  There is probably more than a grain of truth in this perspective.

However, it may be equally dismissive to sit in the Judge’s seat and pronounce a ‘guilty’ verdict over God-the-defendant.  Perhaps both Christians and Skeptics need to take a longer look, a look that embraces mystery.

Christians quickly pronounce God as ‘innocent,’ but it may be a blind verdict that ignores the facts.

Skeptics quickly pronounce God as ‘guilty,’ but this may be equally rash.

A third way is to leave the Judge’s seat and listen.  To leave the question on the table.

To make no pronouncements.

What does God himself say to the question?  “Where were you when _________ happened??”

“I was on the cross.”

Lost, everything is lost

And everything I've loved before is gone

Alone like the coming of the frost

And a cold winter's chill in my stony heart

And where were You when all that I've hoped for?

Where You when all that I've dreamed?

Came crashing down in shambles around me

You were on the cross

Pain, could you take away the pain?

If I find someone to blame, would it make my life seem easier?

Alone, all my friends are asleep

And I can't find anyone to stay awake with me

Where were You when sin stole my innocence?

Where were You when I was ashamed?

Hiding in a life, I wish, I never made

You were on the cross, my God, my God, alone, alone

You were on the cross, You died for us, alone, alone

You were on the cross, victorious, alone, alone

You were there in all of my suffering

And You were there in doubt and in fear

I'm waiting on the dawn to reappear

Lyrics by Matt Maher