Expressions of Faith
Living the way we should
By H. Murray Hohns
Special to The Advertiser
Do you ever wonder why it doesn't happen?
I belong to a part of the church world that believes the cross of Christ includes physical as well as spiritual redemption or healing. My church believes that the words in Isaiah 53, "By his stripes, you are healed," have very real applications today. I witnessed the miraculous healing of a close relative in 1970; I have fallen backward and landed on the floor when a minister prayed for me.
Yet with all that firsthand experience, I still wonder about healings that are claimed to have occurred, and whether they are real. My late son-in-law went to every kind of healer as he fought multiple myeloma for nearly five years before succumbing. He became a Christian two years before he died, but he still died, and all our prayers and his efforts were seemingly to no avail. It seemed so unfair.
How about other things aside from healing, such as unanswered prayers? Most people pray about things they want.They may not tell you so, but I can tell you that most people pray from time to time no matter what we call our religion or faith.
I decided in 1995 that I would pray every day about two things I wanted to come to pass. That translates into six years of prayer, but so far nothing has happened. It seems so unfair, those unanswered requests. I think of the story Jesus told about the poor widow who went to the unjust judge with her request over and over again until she wore him down. I have surely exceeded her efforts but still have no relief.
How about the story of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis? You've heard this story. Cain was the oldest son of Adam and Eve, and he had a little brother named Abel. One day Cain brought a lovely offering of his produce to the Lord and before one knew it, Abel was there too, offering the fat of his flocks to the Lord.
God liked Abel's offering better than Cain's and Cain got hurt. I can understand that. I, a deserving big brother, lived through similar experiences with my parents. When God saw Cain all downcast and upset, he said: "Don't sit there feeling sorry for yourself. Just get up and do what is expected of you. Live the way your parents and I have told you to live. If you don't, sin will consume you." Cain did not listen, which turned out to be real bad for Abel and for himself as well.
The prophet Habakkuk also asked the Lord, "How long?" In the end, Habakkuk decided to praise the Lord and live for him no matter what, and God gave him deer's feet so he could climb above it all and live in the high places rather than in the daily fray.
How about you? Do you have a little brother who has stolen some of your deserved thunder? Are you feeling sorry about your plight? The answer is simple. We are to keep on doing what we know we should do. It's just that easy, even if you, like my son-in-law, have to die in the process.
H. Murray Hohns is a Makiki resident, a retired engineer and an associate pastor at New Hope Christian Fellowship. Expressions of Faith welcomes contributions from pastors, priests, lay workers and other spiritual leaders. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8036.
