"Why do I get bubus" My daughter told me as she saw the scratch on her leg. What seemed to be a simple statement from a child made me ponder a question asked by humans as they experience the world. Why are there times of prosperity and times of hardship? This may be true financially, relationally, etc. Why are there good times and bad times? Why can't the good times last forever?

      In the Field Museum in the Egyptian section stands a statue of Sekhmet the lionness. Sekhmet is the destructive aspect of the kindly cat Bastet. In ancient Egyptian lore, Bastet/Sekhmet represents nurture and destruction, the two sides of providence. This is how they interpret the duality of man's life- why there are prosperous times and there are hard times.

     In Judeo-Christian theology, the one God is not represented as two aspects. This one God is characterized by faithfulness and mercy, even towards those who hate him. Prosperity, in its many manifestations, comes from him. How then does destruction come into the picture? This theological system also posits a creation under the same God's judgment. Hardship comes because of God's judgment on his creation.

     Does this mean that every disaster or tragedy is a specific judgment on certain people? (i.e. Did the earthquake in Japan come because of the sins of the Japanese people?). No, the earthquake in Japan does not mean that the Japanese are somehow worse than others (all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God). It is a reminder to all peoples that the earth is under God's judgment. It is a reminder that there is a destructive fate that awaits those who hate God. 

     On the other hand, the good things that may have come out of this disaster, and the good things that come to our lives everyday, should remind us that there is a faithful and merciful God who can deliver us out of a miserable life, and a hellish life after death. He can bring us to a place of rest to wipe away our tears and turn our tears into dancing. May this reality bring comfort to those facing hardship. 

    There is a cycle of judgment and restoration in God's creation, not because of specific sins, but because God wants to build into our psyche the reality of heaven and hell. Some of you may be in a time of prosperity- feeling strong and happy. Remember that this time of prosperity will pass and there will be a time of hardship- you will become weaker and things that make you happy will disappear. Life has its ups and downs and will eventually end in death. This is not because of specific sinfulness but because of cycles in God's providence- his built in reminder of heaven and hell. May this reality make us humble. May this cycle drive us to repentance, towards the one who is able to deliver us out of misery into hope.