As a pastor in a church that’s firmly committed to the truth of God’s Word, I feel slightly heretical even suggesting there’s a “problem” with God. But it’s true.

To be honest, over the course of my brief 38 years on earth, I’ve encountered almost as many reasons for being confused or frustrated by God as I have reasons for being drawn to Him. And I have a sneaking suspicion that you may have too.

There have been plenty of nights where I have laid awake, pleading with God to not only lend His ear, but also His hand to push things in one particular direction or another. If God is all-knowing and all powerful, then, c’mon! Slightly altering the weather, changing a circumstance, mending a marriage, or even turning a person’s heart doesn’t seem too large
a task, does it?

Yet seemingly, without explanation or predictability, God moves. His response (or lack thereof) can be hard to understand. There are some moments that seem almost too good to be true … a diagnosis reversed! And others that are devastating beyond words — a relationship broken beyond repair. Which leaves me scratching my head.

As I walk to the Liquid office on Church Street, I’m puzzled by the dichotomy of what I see. On one side of the street, there are executives trying to find the best restaurant for their pharma meeting. On the other side, familiar street people struggle to scrounge change for a cup of hot coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts. And that is the problem with God.

Why does that seem to be okay with Him? Even though I am a “”pastor” by profession, I often struggle with God’s seeming “unfair” response to everyday needs. Why does God intercede in some situations that seem trivial in comparison to epic problems where He remains silent? It’s that age-old question: why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Even more vexing: why does God allow good things to happen to nasty people?

For a fresh perspective, I’m drawn to the New Testament story Jesus told regarding an employer who pays identical wages to all of his workers (Matthew 20:1-16). The ones who worked a full day received a full day’s wage. But at story’s end, the laggards who showed up at the last minute received the same wage.

by Mike Leahy