http://disqus.com/by/ScottDavidson/enThu, 09 Jul 2009 09:56:20 -0000http://belovedschurch.org/2009/06/28/the-illusive-meaning-of-suffering/#comment-12378447<p>I normally try to stay quiet, but this question just cut through me.</p><p>Do we have needs beyond what this world can offer? We are not only physical carnal creatures. We have a spirit. That spirit yearns to know why we are here, to make sense of our existence.</p><p>So beyond the fear of hell and promise of heaven is there more to care about?</p><p>We search out purpose and reason for our lives. <br>We search for meaning and value in the things we do.<br>We want to know fairness for ourselves and others<br>We look to be known and to be accepted.</p><p>We can decide for ourselves what is purpose, value, fairness and acceptable in this world. But this world does not conform to our will. Suffering, tragedy and failure meet us at many turns in our lives. There are events outside of us that drag on our souls. The world be itself does not offer what we need. The book of Ecclesiastes looks at many aspect of this. The book explores how unreliable and unfulfilling this world can leave us.</p><p>Christ understands this when he says “One must not live on bread alone…”</p><p>It is only God, who has the complete understanding that can complete us. It is only God that knows the purpose and reason for all creation. God understands meaning and value of all things. God ultimately holds the balance of fairness in his hands. Only God truly knows us.</p><p>So would we still care about God? Yes, for we need him to live a full life. Does God care about us? Yes and it is through Christ that we can see the fullness of his love for us.</p><p>The fullness that we can have by abiding in God’s spirit is worth caring about. <br> </p>ScottDavidsonThu, 09 Jul 2009 09:56:20 -0000