Life Isn't Fair.

My students are hung up on fairness. EVERYTHING must be "fair" at all times and they'll call me out if they see it otherwise:

"You gave her the green paper, I wanted it...that's not fair!"

"He got a bigger piece of pizza...that's not fair!"

"You spent more time helping him...you're not fair"

...and blah, blah, BLAH. I try to explain gently that "fair" means that not everyone gets the same, but everyone gets what they need. Sometimes, my explanation is more like a "Life isn't fair. And then you die. Get over it."

Sadly enough, the more I work with kids, the more I realize I am no different from them. I, too, am hung up with how God deals with me and whether I view His treatment as fair. Am I getting the same blessings as others? Why not, God? Three years ago when I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, I felt I was getting a raw deal from Him. I grumbled bitterly to the Lord about my lot in life. This wasn't what I ordered! But it was certainly on God's calendar. My dad's cancer blew that out of the water. The worst, searing emotional pain of my life just didn't "seem" fair or right.

When I allow my sinful pride to creep in, I begin to think He has dealt with me unfairly, that I am entitled to something more than the eternal damnation I deserve, apart from His grace.

Hebrews states that by His sovereign will, "we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." It is by His will that we continue to be made holy through illness, suffering, struggles, and persecution. After all, what right has the clay to question the potter? Has He not the entitlement to deal with me as He wishes?

You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it,
"He did not make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"? (Is. 29:16)

This past Sunday, I received a blessing (from my parents) beyond anything I could have imagined. It was something I had prayed about occasionally over the past year but particularly fervently on Saturday night as I was out running. Yes, sometimes life isn't fair...delightfully so! :)

For the word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.
The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love. (Ps. 33:4-5)