When you ask, "Where is God?"

"And tho I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil."
~ Psalm 23

Year's ago I read the book "Night" by Elie Wiesel. It told of the horrific things that happened while incarcerated in a Nazi German war camp.

I had the honor of meeting Wiesel years ago as a seminarian. I couldn't help but listen as others asked questions.

It was as if God had poured God's entire presence into a single being, but Elie would be the first to recognize and point out that he was merely a man.

So many headlines and personal struggles around the world has me asking God questions that would border on having a faith that seems to be failing.

"Where are you God?"

Before I uttered my question I suddenly found myself remembering "Night" and realized I am asking the question that others have asked before.

It's a painful reflection of people starving in a concentration camp. An air raid prompts people living in the camp to attempt to get some food during the chaos.

A man, so weak, literally crawls to reach soup, only to be shot as he lifts himself to reach for the soup.

Later gallows are constructed and men are hung for attempting such things, and then a child, who is not heavy enough to break his neck when dropped. Instead he hangs, dangling, choking.

As onlookers gaze, the crowd watches and wonders, "Where is God?"

From within, Elie writes, “Where is He? Here He is — He is hanging here on this gallows. . . .”

God does not possess the ability not to be present. God is with each of us always. When we sin. When we express love as well as hate. What we live in darkness is as if pure light has filled the space.

I struggle today, because as I try to be a positive reminder of hope, love and of peace, I fall like many of us, to the consumption of fear and doubt.

I ask "Where is God?"

We are God's presence and it is important that we be that presence more than ever today.


Stay in God's grip!

​G. Todd Williams (c) 2018