Greater Reasoning. Advent Day 5. December 5, 2013.

I have an unusual way of looking at things, to say the least.

Obviously each person is unique in their own ways

but my thought process is something…it’s something else.

It keeps me entertained, that’s for certain.

I tend to be a pessimist.

Expect the worse at you won’t be disappointed.

Not the most enjoyable way to think about things, I know.

But sometimes I’m an optimist.

Pretty rarely though.

And often times my optimism comes at the most unwelcomed of times,

usually in a time of sadness or death.

If something heart-wrenching makes its way across the TV screen on the nightly news,

I’ll be the first to say, “Well, at least they went together”.

Strange, I know. 

Like, I said, the way my mind works is entertaining.

But maybe the second part, the optimism part,

isn’t so out of the realm of what Christ wants us to think like.

The book of Wisdom gives some enlightenment on different occasions that occur in life.

In Chapter 4, the author talks about early death

and how we should perceive that compared to how we actually perceive it.

For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported- snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore He sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account. For they see the death of the wise man and do not understand what the Lord intended for him, or why He made him secure.

Wisdom 4:8-15,17

Given the way my mind works,

I love these verses.

I love that there is a reason behind what we,

as humans, deem unreasonable.

I love that there is hope even among an unfortunate loss.

I love the blessed assurance that,

those who have died “too young” in our minds,

are, God willing, with the Father.

And honestly,

I love that we are wrong.

It’s good to be wrong.

It’s humbling

and it allows for improvement.

I love that we are telling God,

“Don’t take him, he is too young, he has barely begun his life”.

When God is there saying,

“What are you talking about? He did what I asked. He completed his mission. I am pleased with him. And I gotta get him off of earth so that his soul doesn’t rot. This is the time that he is most ready to receive me. Don’t be selfish. Oh, and pray for his soul, purgatory does exist.”

I love that God’s reasoning is so beyond

anything that our puny minds can conceive.

And I love that these verses go beyond a young death.

They can apply to an unexpected death,

a tragic death,

but even more so,

they can apply to any area in our lives that we don’t understand.

Maybe the specific remedy doesn’t fit our misunderstanding,

but the general remedy does:

God’s reasoning is always greater than our own.

And

Praise.

God.