When Answers Aren't Enough

Isaiah 38:16-17 O LORD, by these things men live; and in all these things is the life of my spirit; so You will restore me and make me live. Indeed it was for my own peace that I had great bitterness; but You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back.

There are people out there who, when looking at my life or listening to my words, will shake their heads, and with a “tsk tsk,” say to themselves, “He’s a pretty good guy, but he really is confused about truth.” In our age of cynicism, of ‘personal truth’ above all else, the reality of faith is not only confusing, but distasteful to many who, for whatever reason, try to find their own path.

“Well, Jesus might be good for you, Chris, but I just can’t see things that way.” Perhaps the biggest challenge to faith that I’ve encountered is this: If God is God, and God is love, why do bad things happen to good people?

Today, people want a cut-and-dried, one sentence answer to their questions when that is impossible. If you’re looking for me to answer that question in one paragraph, you’re better off looking somewhere else (I will tell you, however, that you might find plenty of wrong answers, but you’ll never find the right one). You see, a simple answer to this question does not exist. The reason? Our minds are finite, and no matter our pursuit of “truth,” our comprehension is limited, no matter how bright we think we are.

Recently there have been several situations in which the hand of the Lord has been greatly apparent to me. In this verse we see the following phrase: “. . . it was for my own peace that I had great bitterness . . .” When bad things happen, people often ask why God is doing this to them. They don’t have the answer.

Well, God doesn’t hurt people. This life is filled with tragedy and pain, and whether you have a relationship with the Lord or not, everyone experiences some difficult times. But through those rough patches, God speaks to us, shows us what we need to know for our own peace.

Too often, however, the scream of heartache drowns out the still, small voice of God. Even though we don’t understand and we don’t know why things happen, God has not abandoned His children. He is still there, leading and guiding them away from destruction and despair, and toward the peace that can only be found in Him.

During these times, we sometimes feel that God is punishing us for some transgression we’ve committed against Him. While there are consequences we must reap according to the seeds we’ve sown, when we give our hearts to Christ, all our past sins and corruption are wiped out, forgiven and forgotten by God. God merely uses the ups and downs of human existence to show us just how much He loves and cares for us, how sufficient His grace truly is, and that we always have a friend in Him.

We all have to go through some painful times, but remember that if you know the Lord, He is not fighting against you, but giving life to your soul through His love and grace. Allow Him to refresh and restore you during these times, listen intently for His still, small voice, and accept that peace He promised His children.


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

Lay Down Your Life

“I just don’t have the time.” How many of us have said that before? Truth be told, we’ve probably already said it at least once this week. Our culture demands our undivided attention and requires countless hours we frankly don’t have to spare. Yet, despite all our busy schedules, we tend to make time for the things we care about the most, the places, activities, and people we love.

The Bible speaks frequently on the topic of love: what it is, how to grow it and show it. In fact, if I were to start right now and write every minute of the day, I couldn’t begin to explain the intricacies of love. I will, instead, choose one aspect of Christian love on which to focus this entry.

I have always been struck by “3:16.” The most famous of the “3:16”s is found in the Gospel According to John. Still, if you go to the other Bible books and read chapter three, verse sixteen, you will find some beautiful Scriptural jewels. One of the best, in my view, was also transcribed by John, this time in 1 John 3:16. It says, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

To experience a fulfilled life, you must live according to the principle of this verse. The problem is that many people interpret this verse in a very linear fashion. For most people, this verse has something to do with loving your friends enough to die for them. This is an accurate interpretation.

Still, there is much more.

The death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is certainly the single greatest act of love the world has experienced. Jesus did, indeed, lay down His life on the cross for us. But more than that, He laid His life down for us in life!!!

Love, as we understand it, is expressed in words such as, “I love you.” It is also expressed in single acts, such as the heroism of a fire fighter losing his life trying to save others. But our comprehension of love seems to really be complete (from a human standpoint) when we see consistent love. If you see someone who is constantly showing love through their everyday existence, that is the strongest example of what true love really is.

Jesus did this by not only dying for us, but for living for us. His life was lived in service for and as an example for others. When we read 1 John 3:16, and look at it from this perspective, we see that we should not only love others enough that, on the off-chance it is necessary, we will die for them. We ought to be willing not only to die for others, but to live for others, too.

We are busy people. As Christians, though, we shouldn’t be so self-absorbed and so consumed with our own life that we forget those around us. We should be willing to live our lives in service of others, not just ourselves. I don’t mean that we never take time for ourselves, but that we never hesitate to spend time with people, talk with them, and share our thoughts, our emotions, our testimony, and our heart with them.

Nothing fulfills us quite so well as coming to the knowledge that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive. When we give of ourselves to others, when we stop and listen to someone needing an ear or a shoulder, when we smile and say a kind word or do something that is (or is not) asked of us, our hearts overflow with the blessings of God and the contentment of knowing that we are expressing the true love demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

If you are looking for joy and peace, for a sense of belonging or of making a difference, lay down your life for others. If you’re too busy to love others in this way, then you’re simply too busy. And, as we all know, a love shown is far more extraordinary than a love spoken. If you tell the Lord you love Him, great. But if you show it, it means so much more.

How do we show it? We show it best by showing love to others. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:40, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Laying your life down for the brethren is much more than dying for someone else. It’s living for someone else. Does your life show that you truly love others, as well as the Lord?


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

You Can Now Participate!

For several years, I have wanted to try something. In a weekly church-service setting, it is neither feasible nor responsible to attempt. At other times, when people ask me, I don’t have the opportunity to share with more than a few people. So, I thought I would use the “bloggosphere” to give it a shot.

What is it? Well, this is your opportunity to take part in the content of this blog. Perhaps you have a favorite verse that has given you insight, strength or hope. Maybe you have run across a particular Scripture and had questions about its implications. I don’t consider myself, nor do I claim to be, a world-renowned theologian. I do, however, have a passion for God’s Word and a desire to advance my own knowledge in Scripture.

I would welcome the opportunity to comment on verses or ideas that you, the reader, suggest. If you have a suggestion of a Bible passage, any idea, historical or current event, anything at all, please feel free to send it to me via e-mail, and I will do my best to provide insightful commentary to you and other readers through this blog.

I will continue to post original material during each week, but look forward to sharing a spiritual journey with you. I will respond to each request I am sent, and will also inform you if and when I can post commentary on your submission. If you would like to participate, please send your idea, question or verse selection to soulscape@alltel.net .

Thank you so much, and God bless!


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

Katrina, Part 2

As I watch coverage of Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath, I feel the necessity to once again give voice to my observations. Days pass, and the desperation in the eyes and faces of the displaced, the sick, the injured, the young, seems to increase exponentially. But even in the bystanders, those of us absorbing the scenes while sitting in our air-conditioned homes, sipping a beverage or enjoying a meal, our hearts are breaking almost beyond description.

For us, for the millions of Americans who aren’t what we would call “personally affected” by the devastation, why are we touched so deeply? It goes beyond seeing barren landscapes littered with the remnants of homes. It goes beyond observing rising waters or submerged property. It even goes beyond witnessing the profound human tragedy that is seldom seen in a generation.

I believe we are so deeply affected because within the eyes of the true victims, we see people who honestly felt this could never happen to them. I recall viewing a television program several years ago, describing the worst possible hurricane strike. Aside from a direct hit on New Orleans and instantaneous flooding, the scenario on that program was identical to what has occurred this week.

It has been said in the past, as well as in recent days, that New Orleans should have seen it coming. In the words of so many “what-if” scenario-based shows, “It’s not a question of if, but when.” Cities like Gulfport and Biloxi, in such proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, should have been prepared. It is easy to say that in hindsight, but isn’t everything easier in hindsight? Now is not the time for blame, for armchair analysis. Even if these cities and populations had made preparations for decades, nothing ever fully prepares us for such devastation. Now is the time for understanding and compassion. Now is the time for assistance. Now is the time to stop and consider our own preparations for what we must face in our life.

No matter whom we are, no matter where we live or whatever circumstances might be in which we find ourselves, deep down we all feel that bad things happen to other people, not us. Widespread destruction, disease, dehydration and death, these things happen on the other side of the world, in an Indonesia or India, not in America.

Even sitting here at my computer, I think of the thousands who, just a week ago, were doing the same thing, going through their daily routines, enjoying life. As I type, in the back of my mind I find the words that I’ve thought and said during earthquakes, tsunami, terrorist attacks and hurricanes, “I’m glad I live in a place where that could never happen to me.”

Still, there is no guarantee for me, or anyone else. Sure, I may live in a small town, limited or no threat of natural disaster or attack, but there are plenty of other situations that could easily place me, my family and friends, my community, in a similar situation to those in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. No matter what we do or think, bad things can happen, and they can happen to us.

We are not told what lies even one minute in the future. There are no guarantees about anything for anyone. This is the number one reason that we need to have peace with God, to prepare us for whatever lies ahead.

Now, perhaps some will read this entry and say, “What has God ever done for those on the Gulf Coast? If He loved them, why are they suffering?” Sadly, many, many people believe that if God was really there, if God was worth it, people would not be suffering and dying.

The Bible does not promise that life will be free of problems, even if you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It says that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Nothing in history says that we can be problem-free. Even if we go through life relatively comfortable and free of catastrophe, we will still eventually come to the end of the road.

In addition to all the physical and emotional difficulties of the hurricane victims, perhaps the worst experience is feeling that they are alone. No matter what we face, it is always made worse by feelings of solitude, that sense that we are all by ourselves. As I said, the Bible doesn’t promise a path free of potholes, but it promises us a Companion, a Comforter, someone to walk with us, someone who will never leave us alone.

Nothing can change what has already happened. Nothing can alter the memories, the physical and emotional scars this tragedy has inflicted on its victims. Still, if the people will allow Him, the Lord can and will help them rebuild their lives. It goes far beyond rebuilding a home or business. It goes beyond purchasing food or clothing. It reaches beyond the here and now and stretches to the “there and when.” The Lord can, and will, allow them to rebuild their lives on a foundation of love and peace, a peace that can be found nowhere except in the arms of Jesus Christ.

We join our hearts with those who are hurting. Through the questions like, “How could this be happening to Americans?” we must always be aware that, no matter who we are, it can happen to us. The real question is this: will we go through it alone, or will we endure and survive, no matter what? Survival is more than physical. It is spiritual. If our spiritual life is based on the Solid Rock of Jesus, we can, and will, carry on.


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.