Is Life Unfair or More Than Fair?
(audio version)
Read: Psalm 73
From childhood we have learned the lesson that life is not fair, and subsequently taught that lesson to our own children. We say: "Life is not fair, get used to it." The lesson is a valuable one to learn because it is one of those facts of life that, once accepted, helps us to deal with the inequities we see. We observe that we are all unique but not all equal. Some people have the advantage of wealth, good looks, great genetics, good health, superior intellect, magnificent talents, etc. Some people gain advantage because they are skillful manipulators, cheaters, liars, criminals, etc. These inequities lead us to believe life is not fair. This issue has bothered people for centuries. To be fair means to be guided by truth, reason, and justice. Yet, we live in a sinful world, occupied by sinful people who may be untruthful, unreasonable, and unjust at the expense of others.
In Psalm 73, Asaph, a musician who was the leader of one of King David's Levitical choirs, struggled with what seemed to be a lack of fairness in the world. He was bothered by the prosperity of the wicked and began to envy them. Then he went to the sanctuary of God to seek his counsel and came to the understanding that prosperity of the wicked, unfair as it is, is only temporary because their judgment would be eternal. Likewise, the suffering of the righteous, also unfair, was only temporary and their reward would also be eternal. What a comfort to know that while life may not be fair, God is fair. In the meantime how do we deal with our Earthly circumstances? How can we be at peace in spite of injustice in the world?
My daughter's fourth grade teacher taught her an important lesson in life when her students complained that life was not fair. She told them that many times life is more than fair. Oscar Wilde said that "Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not." Many people don't deserve what they get and many people don't get what they deserve. We tend to focus on unfair only when we are at a disadvantage. Yet, we are not at the mercy of the universe; we have control over our lives. The fairness dilemma is put to the test by the law of cause and effect, which is similar to the law of sowing and reaping. There is a direct correlation between what you put into life and what you get out of life, between what you sow and what you reap. That correlation does not guarantee great fortune because ultimately you have control only over the input, not the results, but you can be guaranteed of no fortune if you do nothing,
God understands unfairness, that is why he sent us his son to carry our sins for us. Jesus Christ makes life more than fair. He did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. God also understands the inequities in life and he asks us as persons of faith to do what is just, fair, and right not only for ourselves but for others. "...whatever you have done for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)
As I assess my own life I reflect on the unmerited advantages God has given me: his love, the gift of salvation, his mercy, the Holy Bible, my family, my church, friendships, freedom of religion, opportunities to grow, the abundance and beauty of nature, the ability to reason, joy in accomplishment, purpose in living, etc. These things make life more than fair for me. In turn, the Lord requires me: "To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly in God.” (Micah 6:8).
Thank you, God, for your promises and for making life more than fair.
Pat Deck
(audio version)
Read: Psalm 73
From childhood we have learned the lesson that life is not fair, and subsequently taught that lesson to our own children. We say: "Life is not fair, get used to it." The lesson is a valuable one to learn because it is one of those facts of life that, once accepted, helps us to deal with the inequities we see. We observe that we are all unique but not all equal. Some people have the advantage of wealth, good looks, great genetics, good health, superior intellect, magnificent talents, etc. Some people gain advantage because they are skillful manipulators, cheaters, liars, criminals, etc. These inequities lead us to believe life is not fair. This issue has bothered people for centuries. To be fair means to be guided by truth, reason, and justice. Yet, we live in a sinful world, occupied by sinful people who may be untruthful, unreasonable, and unjust at the expense of others.
In Psalm 73, Asaph, a musician who was the leader of one of King David's Levitical choirs, struggled with what seemed to be a lack of fairness in the world. He was bothered by the prosperity of the wicked and began to envy them. Then he went to the sanctuary of God to seek his counsel and came to the understanding that prosperity of the wicked, unfair as it is, is only temporary because their judgment would be eternal. Likewise, the suffering of the righteous, also unfair, was only temporary and their reward would also be eternal. What a comfort to know that while life may not be fair, God is fair. In the meantime how do we deal with our Earthly circumstances? How can we be at peace in spite of injustice in the world?
My daughter's fourth grade teacher taught her an important lesson in life when her students complained that life was not fair. She told them that many times life is more than fair. Oscar Wilde said that "Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not." Many people don't deserve what they get and many people don't get what they deserve. We tend to focus on unfair only when we are at a disadvantage. Yet, we are not at the mercy of the universe; we have control over our lives. The fairness dilemma is put to the test by the law of cause and effect, which is similar to the law of sowing and reaping. There is a direct correlation between what you put into life and what you get out of life, between what you sow and what you reap. That correlation does not guarantee great fortune because ultimately you have control only over the input, not the results, but you can be guaranteed of no fortune if you do nothing,
God understands unfairness, that is why he sent us his son to carry our sins for us. Jesus Christ makes life more than fair. He did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. God also understands the inequities in life and he asks us as persons of faith to do what is just, fair, and right not only for ourselves but for others. "...whatever you have done for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)
As I assess my own life I reflect on the unmerited advantages God has given me: his love, the gift of salvation, his mercy, the Holy Bible, my family, my church, friendships, freedom of religion, opportunities to grow, the abundance and beauty of nature, the ability to reason, joy in accomplishment, purpose in living, etc. These things make life more than fair for me. In turn, the Lord requires me: "To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly in God.” (Micah 6:8).
Thank you, God, for your promises and for making life more than fair.
Pat Deck
No comments:
Post a Comment