“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
“Why me?” is the first question we ask when tragedy strikes. “Why me, Lord? Why did my loved one have to die?”
Some of us have the same question when we have a flat tire. “Why me, Lord? My car broke down and it cost $600 to get fixed… $600 that I don’t have. Why me? After all, I am as good as most people. In fact, I’ve been better than most. Why are You treating me this way? Why are You punishing me this way?”
Some of us have the same question when the internet goes out, or when the dishwasher quits working, or when the weed eater string gets tangled, or when the bathroom sink is clogged. “Why me, Lord? Why am I wasting time trying to fix this stupid thing? This is going to cost me more money to get this fixed. Jesus, You know I don’t have any money. By the way, why, at my age, should I still be having financial problems? Why have You denied me opportunities for fame and fortune that You have given to others? Why me, Lord?”
I don’t know about you, but when I find myself starting to think like this, which I often do, it sometimes helps for me to ask the same question about other aspects of my life. “Why me, Lord? What have I done that’s so great that You should have blessed me with a car, internet, a dishwasher, a weed eater, and a home? Why did You give me all these things anyway?”
Sometimes, it helps for me to ask, “Why me, Lord? Why did You permit me to be born in America with all its wealth? I could have been born in a poverty-stricken country like Ethiopia, or Haiti, or Afghanistan. Why was I born in rich America? Why me, Lord? Why did You allow me to have a job when so many, who are just as deserving as I am, are without work?”
Sometimes, it helps for me to ask, “Why me, Lord? Why am I in good health? Others my age have died of heart attacks. Others were crippled by accidents or disease. Others have cancer. Why should I escape sickness and injury when other people who believe in You are either suffering or dead?”
Sometimes, it helps for me to ask, “Why me, Lord? Why have You spared me from the heartaches that assault other families? Others, wonderful people, are seeing their families torn apart, but you have blessed me.”
The point is: Life is about perspective. If you would just stop and remember all the ways the Lord has blessed you, even though you don’t deserve it, I wonder how you could complain about the relatively insignificant things that go wrong in your life from time to time. If you and I could only remember to count our blessings.
Furthermore, if you are a Christian, it helps to ask, “Why me, Lord? Why would You go to a cross and die for me? Jesus, why would You love me so much when I am so unlovable?”
Years ago, the great songwriter, Kris Kristofferson, wrote a song titled, “Why me, Lord?” The song begins with Kristofferson pouring his soul out to God:
Why me Lord, what have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I’ve known
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving You
Or the kindness You’ve shown.
Jesus showed kindness, grace, and love for us by dying for us. Even though, we are sinners, even though we don’t deserve it, even though we are ungrateful, Jesus died for us.
Why? Why me, Lord? Why would You love me? Why would you die for me?
Why me, indeed…
James Collins is the senior pastor at First Southern Baptist Church. For more information on his ministry, go to the website www.fortscottfsbc.com.