The multiplication of disasters, homicides, and other forms of natural cataclysms and injustices that we witness on a daily basis can lead us to question the existence of God, and even our choice to have become new creatures in Christ.
The circumstances of life lead men and even certain children of God in particular to deny the existence of God to the point of adopting as principles of life, remarkable philosophical thoughts which sometimes have nothing to do with faith in a God who is at the heart of human existence. While some believe in an always good God on the basis of an experience that they assume, others on the other hand deny the existence of this transcendent and all-powerful being, who allows Men to suffer, and whose proofs concrete aspects of the presence would be the reflection of an elusive utopia. The children of God strive to talk about patience on a daily basis because they are aware of being in a world that has great difficulty demonstrating patience. Everyone has their own schedule, their projects, their concerns, their goals; now, God’s “thoughts” “are not” our “thoughts” and our “paths are not” his “paths”. “As much as the sky is elevated above the earth, so are its paths elevated above ours, and its thoughts above our thoughts.” We are more concerned with achieving a goal than getting to know the person to whom we have turned to find a solution to our many problems. Some even go so far as to say that God's justice would be slow, and that it would be preferable in the event of harm to take justice into one's own hands. But isn't it rather we who are slow to understand Him, and very impatient to express our anger? In the fifth chapter of his epistle, Saint James asks his faithful in Jerusalem to be patient despite everything. But how can we do this in a corrupt world that sometimes prevents us from seeing the wonders of God in our lives, and sometimes pushes us to commit harmful acts? The world does not want to take the trouble to know God; or rather, prefers to establish a boundary between his daily experience and the recommendations of the word of God. If the multiple injustices, financial embezzlement and others of the same kind, can justify mass movements in order to denounce and peacefully call for justice to be done by the competent authorities where the law allows it, this in no way justifies the choice of take up arms when we are not sure that this is the only way to restore peace.
God does not hinder human freedom. He just wants His actions to be accepted as the fruit of a permanent quest for the general interest despite the annoyances. For example, the fact of seeking a solution to our problem outside of Christianity for a Christian is not dramatic. Rather, it is what we make of Jesus or what he represents to us that is. Do we really think He is capable of solving our problems? Who is Jesus for us? Is it a God who wants His children to behave like individuals deprived of freedom to the point of remaining tossed between a lush path which leads to perdition, and another trying one, which really leads to a succession of real reasons to thanks to God? The idea that each person has of God corresponds to the quality of relationship that each person takes the trouble to establish with Jesus in particular, by reading his word and applying it on a daily basis in the harsh reality of life and the truth of our awareness. One of the true characteristic traits of a child of God is his freedom, and his ability to use it to truly draw closer to God. We should therefore not blame or prevent those who choose to resort to marabouts or other things along the same lines to resolve their problems. Perhaps this experience will be the beginning of a true relationship with God? Everyone must do their best to remain in God despite everything, and do their best to attract others to Him, based on the circumstances we ourselves have experienced with the one we choose to trust, while taking care not to make rash judgments.
Being patient also means respecting the freedom of others. A child of God acts on the basis of what patience in suffering with Christ taught him, or teaches him. If testimony is the fruit of patience in trials with God, it is because the life of faith is a question of testimony.
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What is a christian testimony? Image source cru.org
