Big Questions
Posted on Friday, May 19, 2017 by
By Gareth Unruh, Director of Denver Area YFC Juvenile Justice Ministries
When our youth are locked up, they have the chance to do a lot of “soul-searching” in their rooms, alone at night. It is also the first time, for many of them, to slow down enough to deal with the pain, hurts, and trauma of their past.
“Why does God allow bad things to happen…I mean, if He is a good God?
That’s a question I ask myself a lot.
Why did my mom have to die when I was 3 and why did my Dad have to leave me and my family?
I can only answer for my own story, but I have found God to be true and good even in the midst of pain and lost.
How can He be? Where was He?
He was right there with you, hurting with you, crying right with you. He promises that He will never leave me or give up on me. Do you believe He was with you?
I believe that He is with me now. [Through tears] I just wish I felt Him back then!
Me too! I don’t always feel Him, but I have learned over the years to trust that He is there for me always. I don’t pretend to understand all of God’s ways, but I think that’s why He is God and I am not, I don’t have to understand everything to accept His love, peace, mercy, and grace! Can I pray for that in your life as you keep asking God about this?
Yeah.”
This was just one in a series of conversations and represents many conversations our staff and volunteers have with youth every week. We never have easy answers but get to usher in the HOPE of Christ. The young man is a huge help and encouragement to his peers who struggle with their “stuff” every day. May God continue to use him, our staff, and volunteers to bring the love of Christ to those who desperately need it!
Thank you for being a part of the ongoing conversation with youth in our city and helping us share God’s story. It's our honor to be the storytellers on your behalf who meet kids right where they are and give life to their story.
Providing young people in our community with the opportunity to make an informed decision to be a follower of Jesus Christ and become part of a local church.