My whole neighborhood is talking about this boy. A sixteen year old boy, who for reasons unknown, made the decision to take his own life. Everyone is trying to figure out why. We always need to know why. It is hard for people to be content with not knowing. It gives us a cerebral restlessness, the idea that there may be things in this world that we will never be able to reason with or come to conclusions to. Pat, textbook answers are easier. They don't require faith.
I inadvertently overheard someone yesterday in a conversation. She was obviously talking about Cody. She said, "I think the only reason it could have happened...was...to help others.".
Which is partly true. But mostly not. " This is what the Bible teaches:
1) "The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" 1 John 5:19
2) "The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy" John 10:10
3) "Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" James 1:17
4) "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" Jeremiah 29:11
5)"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly"
John 10:10
I believe that God is FOR life. He is the Creator of Life. His plan and purpose is for us to have rich abundant life on this earth. When something like this happens, it is NOT the will of God. It is not His plan, His purpose, or intent. It is simply the devices of the enemy of our souls. And we should not be ignorant of it. God does not will for someone to die violently, self-inflicted or otherwise, in order to teach us a lesson. Tragedies, disasters, and deaths are not God's means to punish us. However... what the Word promises is that God will USE any circumstances life brings about to achieve His purposes in the earth. He will use what the enemy meant for evil and turn them for good in our lives (Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28). He can and will use suicide to draw those hurting and affected to Himself.
God, through Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection, has conquered death. We don't have to fear it, or even glorify it. And for those of us with a history of believing that suicide is the "unforgivable sin"... suicide is never once mentioned in the Bible as being any different from any other sin. Lying, covetousness, adultery, jealousy, boasting, pride... it's all the same to God. But "Love covers a multitude of sins" (Prov 10:12), and "Perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). And we know that God IS love (1 John 4:7), and something that has been permeating my thoughts in this regard the last 11 months- that MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGEMENT (James 2:13). Thank God for this life changing truth. He is merciful and compassionate.
Here is what else I know: My friend was sick. He was afflicted with a terrible addiction which had beat him down to the point of submission. I've never experienced depression. I can't pretend to know what it would be like to exist in such despair as to contemplate death. But I do know that without hope, or without vision for the future, we cannot sustain life. Hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12). And being a Christian doesn't exempt you from suffering. But thanks be to God... Matthew 9:12, the words of Jesus Himself: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick...For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
I had the opportunity to read the letter that my friend left for his parents. Want to know what He said countless times? "Forgive me. Forgive me."
So here is my conclusion: We are to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. In my attempt to "figure out" the why and how of my dear friends death, God simply gave me this scripture through a faithful friend:
Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me (to understand).
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Oh Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
Psalm 131
The Bible says that the secret things belong to the Lord (Deuteronomy 29:29). Some things in this life we will simply never be able to comprehend. But we weren't designed to. But we were designed to know Jesus, who IS God, and to seek after these things (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We were designed to seek God, and to know Him, because HE is the only answer. As we come into relationship with him and simply spend time in His presence, He will still that anxious urge to "know". Just knowing Him is enough. He is THE answer... better than a textbook, better than Google, better than another pat response to the complexities of life. But it ALWAYS requires faith. And without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
Philippians 4:7 encourages that as we make our requests made known to God, with thanksgiving, that the peace of God, which surpasses our understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ. This is my prayer for my community today. That peace would surpass our understanding, or lack thereof, and guard our hearts and minds in the knowledge of His goodness and love.
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" Romans 8:13
"Come to me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you , because I am humble, and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
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