Last week was an unbelievably difficult week. The contrasts on the world stage brought us
contradictions beyond comprehension.
In the nation of
Paraguay in South America, a budding Mother Teresa-type young mother named Julie
Kurrle was traveling with her husband Norberto, son Timmy and recently adopted
daughter Estyer Anahi, to acquire Anahi’s passport to prepare for their trip to
America where they planned to visit congregations in the Midwest in support of
their ministry. They were in an accident with a large vehicle and in a matter
of moments Julie was dead and their young son Timmy, lay mortally wounded dying
moments later.
Half a world away in the
Nation of Norway, Anders Behring Breivik was preparing to go on trial for
callously murdering seventy-seven innocent people—most of them young people and
their leaders in a youth camp. It wasn’t enough to destroy those seventy-seven
lives, he added to the grotesque evil of the week by using his day in court to
boast about what he had done—adding to the anguish of surviving family members
and friends.
Why didn’t God stop Breivik before he committed those atrocities? And keep Julie and
Timmy alive to continue their godly lives? Why?
Maybe I’m not the only
one asking that question.
I am reminded of the
words of Thomas Paine, who wrote, during the days of the American Revolution,
“These are the times that try men’s souls.” He was right and this week proves
it still true.
But perhaps that is God’s
plan for us.
I don’t know what caused
the accident. There have been a variety of reports, but it happened half a
world away and the local reports are in a language I don’t know with translations
unclear. I only know it was a tragedy beyond comprehension to Norberto and Esther Anahi, who had just a few short months with her loving new mother before
she lost her and her devoted big brother. As young as she is, she may not even remember
either one.
What I do know is that
Jesus warned us this life would not be a piece of cake. “In the world” he said,
“you shall have tribulation.” John 16:33(KJV) I think his emphasis
was on the “shall have”. Apparently God’s purpose for this world requires us to
sometimes go through exceedingly painful experiences. Most of them are painful
in the minor sense of that word, but occasionally there come those times when
the pain is so great as to be overwhelming and almost unbearable. This was one
of those times for the Kurrle family and for all those who love them.
We are driven to our
knees before the Lord knowing that only He has overcome and in that knowledge
we cling to him and pray his peace will eventually bring healing. There is a
reason Jesus told us “Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4(KJV) He knew this was a temporary world and loss would
be a common experience that would constantly require God’s loving comfort.
I still don’t understand
what happened this week and it still feels like pain too deep for words. And I
didn’t know Julie well. I can’t even comprehend the pain Norberto and others
close to Julie and Timmy are feeling. So let us at least do all we can to
surround Norberto and Esther Anahi Kurrle with our love and prayers, and in so doing give arms and hearts to the
unconditional love of God.
And let us rest in the
assurance that on the other side we will understand and say “God be praised!”
God will not let these deaths be wasted! He is not finished with their lives! They will live on, not only in heaven, as a part of that great cloud of witnesses, but they will live in the witness they levt behind. But knowing Julie what little I did, I
know she doesn’t want us to wait until the other side to say those three
powerful words--God be praised! Julie and Timmy’s lives were far too short from our point of
view, but what powerful lives they were and how we praise God for them, knowing
only eternity will reveal their everlasting value to the Kingdom of God.
I'm Rick Blumenberg . . . and that's My View from Tanner Creek.
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