Lord, Where Are You?
As I sit down to write this reflection on 30 December, 2024, the world is in shock over the tragic plane crash that happened just yesterday, 29 December, 2024, at Muan International Airport in South Korea. It was heartbreaking to see the news and the video footage showing the plane smashing into a wall. People everywhere are struggling to understand how such a disaster could happen. Many experts have already started trying to guess what caused it. The crash took the lives of 179 people, leaving only two survivors, who were pulled alive from the wreckage. To make things even more devastating, another plane crash occurred in Kazakhstan just a few days earlier.
My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims. I can’t imagine the pain of losing a loved one so suddenly, especially during what is supposed to be a joyful holiday season. Some of the passengers were reportedly returning from their vacations. Who could have thought their trip would end in such a tragedy?
Social workers and religious leaders have rushed to the scene to support the families and survivors. They are trying to bring comfort and hope to those affected, but this is not easy. I can only imagine the questions running through people’s minds: Why did this happen to my loved one? Why wasn’t it me? If only I had known, I would have stopped them from traveling.
For Christians, these questions might include: God, why did You allow this to happen? Why didn’t You stop it? Why didn’t You protect them? Honestly, if I were there, I wouldn’t have any answers to these questions. In fact, I might be asking God the same things. How can we bring a message of peace, hope, and joy to those who are grieving, especially during the Christmas season?
I don’t think it’s the right time to talk about theology or to debate ideas about God’s will. Instead, I ask myself: What can I do for people who are hurting? If I were there, I would probably just sit with them and let them express their feelings—whether it is frustration, sadness, anger, or even doubt. I believe that grief needs to come out before healing can begin.
This reminds me of Psalm 42:1-3, which says:
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’”
In these verses, the psalmist is struggling with his faith. He thought God would protect him and keep him safe, but life didn’t turn out that way. Still, even in his confusion and pain, he tries to hold on to his faith and trust in God.
However, I don’t think quoting Bible verses is the right thing to do when someone is in deep pain. Instead, we should simply be present with them. Let them cry, let them ask questions, and let them be angry. It’s okay if they don’t feel like praying or trusting God right now. Our job is to walk beside them, showing kindness and understanding.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
People go through different kinds of struggles in their faith. Even though we believe in the same God, our journeys are not the same. In times of pain, it’s not our role to explain everything or offer solutions. What we can do is show compassion and be there for them as they work through their feelings.
Let us pray for all those who are grieving. May the Lord’s peace comfort them, and may His love guide us as we support them.
神啊，祢在哪里？
当我在12月30日写下这个反思时，全世界依然被昨日29日在韩国务安国际机场发生的的飞机事故而轰动。我深感心痛看见新闻播放飞机撞上围墙的片段。人们都处在猜疑如此的事故怎么会发生；也有专家已经在推测此事的缘故。这个事故夺去了179人命，只剩下2位幸存者，从残骸中被救了出来。更糟糕的是，前几天在哈萨克斯坦才另外发生了一启飞机事故案件。
我的心为受害者的家属和朋友们深感哀悼。我无法想象这么突然失去一位亲人的痛感，尤其是在一个原是愉快的假期季节。有些乘客是放假后回家的人。有谁会想到他们的旅程会有一个这么悲惨的结局？
社区义工和宗教领袖们都纷纷到场安慰支持这些家属和幸存者。他们尽力把安慰和盼望带给那些受影响的，可是这并不容易。我只能想象人们的脑海中漂浮着的几个问题：为什么这个会发生在我亲人身上？为何不是我？如果我早知道，我会拦阻他们去旅行。
给基督徒，这些问题可能包括：神啊，祢我为什么容许这件事的发生？祢为何不阻止？祢为何不保护他们？老实说，要是我在场，我对这些问题都没有答案。其实，我可能还会问神一样的问题。我们如何能够把平安，盼望和喜乐带给那些正在哀悼的人，尤其是在圣诞季节？
我觉得这并不是讲神学或谈论神旨意的最好的时候。反而，我会问我自己：我可以为那些伤痛的人做些什么？要是我在场，我可能只是会坐着陪他们，让他们摊开所有的情绪 – 可以是不满，悲伤，愤怒或者是怀疑。我相信悲哀是需要先发泄，医治才能够随后开始。
这提醒了我诗篇Psalm 42:1-3所说的：
神啊，我的心切慕祢，如鹿切慕溪水。我的心渴想神，就是永生神，我几时得朝见神呢？
我昼夜以眼泪当食物，人不住地对我说：“你的神在哪里呢？”
在这些经节里面，诗人正在信仰中挣扎。他以为神会保护他，保守他的安全，可是人生就不是如此。即使如此，在他的怀疑和伤痛中，他尽力抓紧他的信仰和对神的信靠。
但是，我不觉得引用圣经经节在这个时候，当人在深感悲痛的时候，是合时的。反而，我们应该，很简单地，与他们同在。让他们哭，让他们问问题，让他们发泄怒气。即使他们在这个时候不想祷告或相信神，是没问题的。我们的责任就是伴随着他们，向他们彰显仁善和同理心。
亲爱的弟兄姐妹，
人们会在信仰中面对各种的挣扎。虽然我们相信同一位神，我们的旅程是不一样的。在我们的痛苦之时，我们所扮演的角色不是去解释或是建议解决方案。我们可以做的是施行怜悯之心，并与他们同在，让他们可以好好处理他们的情绪。
让我们为那些正在哀悼的人祷告。愿神的平安安慰他们，愿祂的爱引导我们去支持他们。