Lost and Found

Yesterday, while I was getting ready for church, I started thinking about Lost. I'm pretty sure everyone knows how disappointed I was with the finale. I just started going over in my mind why I was upset by it. I guess what it comes down to is that I thought the show was going in a different direction. I had expectations for how it would end. When that didn't happen I was left feeling betrayed and fooled. That's it, I thought as I brushed my teeth, I don't like to be misled.

The sermon at church had a similar topic. John the Baptist had sent some of his followers to ask Jesus if He really was the Messiah. John was sitting in prison and having doubts. Jesus essentially said, in one part, "Don't lose your faith or turn away from me because I am not what you expect me to be" (paraphrasing Luke 7:23).

God is God. He has His own ways and His own standards that we not only don't understand, but sometimes don't like. When He doesn't give us what we want or act in the way we think He should, we can feel misled, betrayed, fooled.

God, how can You let children die? How can You let families fall apart or evil people prosper? Haven't I suffered enough, Lord? Isn't it time to act? Aren't You supposed to provide for me? I'm hurting!

He knows. He understands. We may never see the reason behind suffering this side of heaven, but we can rest assured there is a plan. Jesus tells us, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me" (John 14:1). Doubt and disappointment are normal human responses. Moving forward in faith and trusting God are keys to overcoming them. No, it's not easy. It isn't supposed to be.

So, looking back on Lost from the creators' perspective, I see why it played out and ended the way it did. I appreciate that now. And some day, when I look back on this life from our Creator's perspective, I know I will be filled with even more appreciation. He knows better than I.