Lord, don't you care?
Sometimes an experience can so impact me that this question leaps into my mind and out of my mouth almost before I realise it. In some ways it's a dumb question because I do know He cares. But in that moment when confronted by that situation, it can feel like He's not even interested, let alone care.
At least I'm not alone in this because I can think of 2 situations recorded in the gospels where this very question was asked.
(1) The disciples were in a boat crossing over Lake Galilee. Jesus was asleep in the back of a boat. A life-threatening storm hit them. "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" It was a crisis situation.
(2) Martha was out in the kitchen preparing a meal for their honoured guest, Jesus. Mary was in the lounge room sitting at Jesus feet listening to his teaching. Martha sees this as a crisis situation. "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do this work by myself?"
What can I learn from these 2 scenarios? In the first instance, Jesus identifies the difference between fear and faith. He told His disciples that they were going to the other side. That statement was to be the basis of their faith i.e. Jesus' word. The basis of their fear was the storm. Fear and faith can't live together. I either believe Jesus, despite the storm, or I fear the storm and choose not to believe Jesus.
In the second instance, Jesus identifies the difference between the urgent and the important. It's all a question of priorities. Martha was critical of Mary's decision. Jesus defended Mary for having chosen the one thing necessary above the many things legitimate. I can't help but wonder what Jesus would say about my choices today? If I choose fear over faith and the urgent over the important, it won't be long before I'm asking the question, "Lord, don't you care?"
