Free to Choose
'I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.'
1 Corinthians 9:22
A really good bad guy is often not simple in motive. The bad guys you really love to hate and see defeated are the ones with the complex story and seemingly understandable but ultimately flawed philosophy behind their actions. Marvel did this really well in their latest Avengers movie, Endgame, pitting the evil mastermind Thanos against the heroes of the universe. The simple version of events involves Thanos, an incredibly powerful super being, wanting to wipe out half of all life in the universe, believing that this will provide a catch-all solution to the many problems being faced by intergalactic civilisations. He acquires a super weapon, a gauntlet, and with it needs only to click his fingers to achieve his evil master plan - everything changed in an instant!
Isn't this the exact attitude many can have towards God? We want Him to click His fingers and solve all the problems in the world, just like that. Later in the film Iron Man uses this same gauntlet to destroy Thanos and his entire force of evil hordes, putting an end to the destruction - at least for the time being! But the flaw behind this whole idea is the reality of choice. Whether it be Thanos trying to wipe everyone out thinking that starting again is the solution, or Iron Man dealing with the current threat, neither have really changed anything. People still have choice, and unless you can rewire choice making you will never change the ultimate outcome.
Coronavirus has had a devastating impact across the globe. It has been a stark reminder of how fragile we are, and how easily life can be turned upside down from one day to the next. I am certain many have questioned God, myself included, asking why this has happened and why God does not just click His fingers and stop the suffering. But here is where we must understand that God is not us. We are not God. He alone can see the end from the beginning, and most importantly He is determined to give us choice. You may think this isn't a matter of choice, this is just God solving a problem. Is it really though? If God were to step in and control this situation, miraculously putting an end to it in a moment, could He not also do that for every other problem in the world? The answer is not simple, but ultimately if God used His power to instantaneously change a situation, would we not expect Him to do the same all the time?
If intervention like this happened, a click-your-fingers intervention, eventually choice would be taken away. And that is a road to tyranny. When choice is taken away, you end up being ruled over in a dictatorship. God is no dictator, and certainly not a tyrant. He is committed to giving us choice, even when it is incredibly painful. We may suffer for the poor choices made by others, and sometimes ourselves, but Christ suffered willingly on the cross, bearing the consequences for all sin, all bad choices, to give US choice.
This can be difficult and painful at times to come to terms with. As a father I have seen my own child suffer with ongoing health challenges, and at times I wish God would click His fingers and make it all better. But I am not God. I don't stand in that place of judgment and authority, and frankly I don't want to. I would do a terrible job! The truth and hope I hold on to is that Christ has provided a solution through His death and resurrection. It is not a click-your-fingers intervention, it is a solution Jesus bled for. But I believe in faith that whether in this life or in eternity, Jesus will make all things new and will wipe away every tear, including the many tears shed over my sons condition. This is what LOVE looks like, providing salvation whilst upholding our freedom to chose.
Each of us has a choice to make, whether to believe in and follow Jesus, or not. This may not feel like the biggest decision to you, but trust me this is THE decision on which all of life hinges. And it is a decision Christ died for to make possible. The verse I quoted at the start of this article is spoken by Paul, as he seeks to reach different cultures, but I believe expresses the incredible heart of God the Father. GOD has become all things to all people that He might save us. Jesus has in every way experienced our weakness and humanity, making Him the ultimate saviour:
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:15
God meets us in our mess, our pain, our troubles, our anxiety, and reaches out His hand. He does not force the solution on us, He does not click His fingers, He leaves the choice up to us! The question is, what will you choose?