This is a follow-up to my previous post on the struggle to understand where God is at when there are horrific tragedies: https://annaleahmary.com/2016/01/do-what-it-takes-to-prevent-people-from-unnecessarily-dying-in-motor-vehicle-crashes/.

After writing that post, then I read an article which a friend had posted on facebook, called Slain in the Shadow of the Almighty , http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/slain-in-the-shadow-of-the-almighty . I might agree with some things in that article. But what I read in the Bible, and what I have seen to be the case in my life, is that while we are not in total control we can make an impact on what happens in this world:

• Man makes plans, but the LORD directs his steps–by the power of the Spirit.
• Jesus, being tempted in the wilderness by Satan for 40 days, did not simply jump from the roof of the temple and expect God/an angel to catch Him.
• Joseph, with the wisdom given to Him by God, made a plan to be prepared for a famine and doled out food to meet people’s needs (including his own family who were not prepared).
• Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.
• I think that it is a matter of trust and I do trust Him. But I think that He wants us to take dominion over things in this world where we are capable of doing so–as in matters where we can take steps to prevent others from dying.
• God’s love is the rule.
• Faith without works is dead. We walk by faith and not by sight. By faith, this mountain can be moved.
• A paradox of faith.
• He works through our words and actions and plans. That includes advocating for measures which will lead to safer roads and prevent unnecessary deaths.
• Until the race is finished and the work is done.

I sang this song at my daughters’ funeral and I still believe it to be true:

The balloons we released at the burial of AnnaLeah (17 purple) and Mary (13 orange) as we said farewell.

http://www.gettymusic.com/hymns-holyspirit.aspx