Beyond the Doorway
Continuing the Conversation…
When God’s Ways don’t Make Sense
“God is righteous, whether we understand his ways or not.”
This statement may feel hard to receive, even painful. I’m hurt when God acts in a way that disappoints my expectations. I search for understanding to gain comfort. But if God is God, in the plain definition of the word, he exceeds my human capacity in every way. He is the ultimate authority. He sets the highest standard of right and wrong. He defines good and evil—truly, a God-sized task. Can I reach beyond my own judgments and trust God’s outcome when I don’t understand?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer had the moral integrity to make this declaration. The Nazi regime imprisoned this theologian and pastor for standing against their cruelty. While captive for two years, he shared God’s love and truth with fellow prisoners and guards. Later when transferred to a concentration camp, he was stripped naked and hung without a trial, less than a month before the war ended.
Less than one month.
I admit I find it challenging to understand why God permitted his faithful and impactful servant to die when freedom appeared imminent. Dietrich never married the waiting fiancé he left behind. The world lost continuing years of his charity, intellect, and witness. How did his death provide a “better” way for anyone?
God does offer some explanations for worthy suffering. The Bible lists many of them: growth in character, increased compassion, deeper faith, to achieve something greater, a sacrifice for the welfare of others—to name a few. Although difficult to live out, even human wisdom would recognize these as good purposes. Yet sometimes in our finite vision and present pain the goodness eludes us, and we walk in heartbreak until righteousness wins the day.
Bonhoeffer preached it would cost a man his life to follow Christ—an exchange for the only true life that lasts beyond the suffering in this world. To follow the way of God, Bonhoeffer trusted the righteousness of God for comfort beyond his understanding. When evil men delivered him to the bitterness of death, Bonhoeffer knew they provided the doorway to his greatest reward and desire. He finished the final steps on his way to the true life. He entered the ultimate victory where all is made good and right.