I don't remember what it's like to drive a car without a check engine light on. But when it's on for so long, there shouldn't be too much of a surprise when the car finally stops. There's no sense wondering, "Why is this happening to me?" when there's probably an answer under the hood that I’ve tried to ignore.
To be sure, there are things we cannot explain about our life and the world around us. Grief and hardships, for example, should not always be so easily interpreted.
But sometimes, when we say, “I don’t understand," we really mean something like, “I don’t want to admit it.”
Amos 3 starts asking questions. Does a lion roar without a reason? Does a bird fall into a trap when there isn’t one? His questions build toward something his people probably don't want to hear. That what’s happening has something to do with how they’ve been living.
Israel has mistaken being chosen for being excused. But God reminds them that their relationship brings responsibility. Being God's people does not justify their cruelty.
That’s an uncomfortable truth to face if I’d rather my faith tell me what’s wrong with other people.
Yes, sometimes I need deep wisdom just to try to make sense of what has happened. More often than not, perhaps, I actually need courage to acknowledge what I already understand.
Amos hears the lion roar and knows he must speak. God’s warning stands against the illusion that everything can continue the same. Because God is so good to us, things should not continue the same. And there is mercy in hearing the truth while there’s still time to respond.
You don’t have to understand every mystery of life to take responsibility for what is already clear to you.
Stay blessed...john
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