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“The way of the Lord is unfair…”

March 3, 2023

Ezekiel 18:21–28  |  Psalm 130  |  Matthew 5:20–26

Ezekiel 18:19 Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair” Hear now, O house of Israel, Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?”

Lent is a time for reflection and self-examination. I think this line from Ezekiel is good line to reflect on during the Lenten season. How often during our times of trouble have we said to the Lord, this is so unfair or even said why Lord why.

I know not too long ago I struggled with life; I was always asking why Lord why life is so unfair the that I have struggled with and everyone life is so much easier. I felt the Lord had left me alone to struggle and left me to handle everything on my own.    I must admit I still struggle with this sense of unfairness in my life. I have often heard God only gives you what you can handle in this life. I am not totally convinced of this saying. I believe God gave us the ability to choose how we react to the events that make us feel like life is unfair. Isn’t it just easier to blame God that life is unfair then to realize that we have chosen the poorly without ask for the Lord to guide us and then listen to what he is trying to say to us. My answer is yes, it is much easier to blame the Lord than admit I have chosen unwisely and did not listen to the Lord.

Over the past several Lenten seasons, I have tried to adjust the lens that I look at life through. I try to develop new positive practices to change my lens to look at life through because I believe lent is the perfect time to adjust or readjust or maybe come back to the way we view life.

Recently I attended a workshop for work on Post-Traumatic Growth: From Burnout to Resiliency by Dr. Maria Sirois. She stated to recalibrate yourself it takes 21 to 30 days. There were many ideas how to help you think more positively about life. One suggestion was using the word and, and you say well here is an example. Life can be unfair, and I know the Lord is here for me. You take the negative thought then add a positive. The other is one I am trying to do during lent. You get a notebook or journal and every day first thing you write three things down one thing you find beautiful, one thing that you are grateful for, and you think you are a benefit to you. Below is an example of this:

      Beautiful: Rainbows
      Grateful: St. Lukes’s Community
      Benefit: The Lord forgiveness always

May you have a blessed Lenten season.

Psalm 130: 7 With him there is plenteous redemption, he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

Anna Pilkington