By Miriam Rossow
“It isn’t fair.” We start saying this phrase almost as soon as we start talking. It isn’t fair that she gets the bigger half. It isn’t fair that he gets to go and I don’t. It isn’t fair that I have more homework.
Although we mature in many ways, we continue to use this phrase and feel these sentiments as adults also. It isn’t fair that I was let go. It isn’t fair that I don’t get paid more. It isn’t fair that my house didn’t sell faster, for more money, at all. It isn’t fair that I didn’t get that house, promotion, pay raise, new car. It isn’t fair that winter will never end! It isn’t fair that I am sick. It isn’t fair that my loved one died.
It isn’t fair
It isn’t fair. I have been saying this phrase a lot lately. It isn’t fair that right as things start to get “normal’ the Gigers take a call. It isn’t fair that my husband was in a car accident. It isn’t fair that my mother-in-law had complications with her hip surgery. It isn’t fair that my dad’s cancer came back in full force. It isn’t fair!
As I have been thinking about and contemplating the things happening in my life that seem unfair and unjust, I have begun to realize that I serve and follow a God who isn’t fair! At least not in the way I would expect.
If God were fair, I would be in more trouble than I can imagine. If God were fair, I would be left in the disease of the flesh for eternity. If God were fair, creation would stay in this broken state forever. If God were fair, I would have to pay in full by eternal death for all the wrongdoing in my life.
I serve and follow a God who isn’t fair! At least not in the way I would expect.
Instead, in His unfairness, He took all the punishment and pain that I deserve and heaped it on Jesus. In His unfairness, He took the disease of the flesh from me and took it upon Himself. In His unfairness, He will come again and fix the broken state of creation and restore it fully forever! In His unfairness, He looks at Jesus and sees all my wrongdoings. In His unfairness, He looks at me and sees Jesus.
It isn’t fair that Jesus had to come into this world. It isn’t fair that God’s creation turned against Him and rebelled. It isn’t fair that Jesus took all the pain, wrongdoing, and evil to the cross. It isn’t fair that an innocent man suffered a humiliating and torturous death.
In His unfairness, He looks at me and sees Jesus.
It isn’t fair that I have been forgiven. It isn’t fair that in that innocent man’s death I have life. It isn’t fair that I am so loved.
My life and yours are full of unfairness. It isn’t fair that pain, sickness, and death are still part of this life. And soon Jesus who took all that is unfair in this world and conquered it will come back to restore eternal and godly fairness.
It isn’t fair! Come quickly, Lord!
I was feeling the “unfairness” of your family’s situation just this week. When I thought back over your first year with us at St. Luke, I was feeling very badly for your family. You came at the busiest time in the church year–Advent/Christmas/New Year and shortly after arriving, Justin’s dearly beloved grandma died.
Then it was your housing situation in Texas, then your father’s cancer surgery and recuperation, then the moving and the change for the kids and all of that upheaval. Then Pastor’s terrible accident and all the pain and suffering you both endured through that (I know how hard it is when you have a sick and in-pain husband with all you have to do). Then the huge blow of Pastor Scott leaving–how that must have knocked you for a loop!!
Then I thought of your mother-in-law’s health issues–how scary and now your father–this is terrifying! One thing after another thing-it has not gone unnoticed. It’s almost as if Satan has had a fast-firing gun aimed at your family–one shot right after another!! All this in one year!
I just wanted to give you a huge hug on Sunday and just cry with you. Then, I read this post. You have such amazing wisdom for someone so young–for ANYONE for that matter! Since suffering is the one thing that draws people away from God, while those whose hearts are fully dedicated to Him run instantly toward Him and hold on! What an amazing faith you have.
I so wish I would have thought your thoughts many years ago when my own faith was challenged with one thing after another, but I tend to be a slow learner! I applaud your heart and am so glad to have you as our pastor’s support/wife/helpmate because it is clear, even through it all, you are clearly the Lord’s first and a child in this world second. What a godly example you are to your children as well. I pray with my prayer partners of 34 years on Thursday afternoons at the church. We do pray for your family and would welcome any specific prayers your family needs at any time–just slip a note in my mailbox at church. You and your family are dearly loved. Thank you for sharing your heart–an amazing heart it is!!!
Marlys-
Thank you for your kind words and prayers. St. Luke has been wonderful in supporting our family and asking how else they can support our family.
It has been an amazingly hard start to a new job! I am so thankful that I know that God has me in His hands and His church. There are some wonderful things happening all around us at this place!
I truly love walking on this faith journey and following Jesus with people as we each support, encourage, uplift, and learn/teach each other!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Miriam!
I’m so grateful we don’t “get” what we deserve!
Love you, Marie
Amen Marie!