In the oft-repeated Abbott & Costello comedy sketch “Who’s On First?” most people can recite the beginning of the routine.  We all know “who’s on first, what’s on second, I don’t know is on third.”  As the routine progresses, more and more names are given to the rest of the players.  By the time we reach the outfield, we might have lost track of the players.  But, as you can see in this 1953 clip, the left fielder’s name is quite memorable.  If you haven’t seen the bit, feel free to watch at this link!

Why, the left fielder’s name, is a perfect name for a player in this comedy sketch.  In our lives, though, we don’t want to play left field. Why? Because!  Just as in the routine, we often don’t know how to answer that question.

In the Bible, we read of many incredible events for which we might ask “why?”  A widow in a drought prepared to die, desparate to find any sustenance for her only child.  A man was sold into slavery by his own brothers.  A king lost his firstborn son, a newborn, when the newborn had done nothing wrong.  Women lost their sons to a horrific slaughter by the decree of a crazed regional governor.  The Bible also speaks of a man who experienced what many would consider ultimate suffering, in a progression of one horrible experience after another.  Not only did he lose possessions and wealth, he lost his children and his health.  Nothing went right.  Nothing.  Why?  Because?

Like those people, we have difficult experiences. In asking the single question “why?” we naturally ask with deep feeling, borne of our experiences and our understanding.   This feeling may help uncover our answers to two hidden questions, questions we unknowingly ask.  Who am I?  Who is God?

Sometimes we ask the question “why?” in anger.  This emotion is often our first response.  Who am I?  We might answer “I’m just a regular guy.”  Knowing we are just like everyone else, the word “Why?” comes out of our mouths with fire, with that sense of “it ought not to be.” I am like everyone else.  I should not have to deal with this. Who is God?  Who knows?  If God is God, none of this should have happened.  If God is God, this can’t be happening.  It shouldn’t happen.  God should have prevented it.

Sometimes, we ask in despair.  Sometimes so much sadness, we just can’t make sense of it.  Who am I?  We might answer “I am worthless.”  We might think we don’t merit anyone’s concern.  Who is God?  In this frame of mind, God exists, but does not care about us.  Here, we can’t see a way that God can fix this situation.  In sorrow, we imagine that God is so far far away, and incapable or unwilling to help us.

Sometimes, we ask “why?” with a sense of pain.  Who am I?  We might say “I’m just like everyone else,” but recognize that everyone is pretty awful.  We might believe that our acts, like everyone’s, are not immune from some kind of judgment.  Who is God?  We could consider God to be an all-powerful judge, jury, and executioner.  We can’t blame God for punishing us.  We screwed up.  God is God.  We deserve this penalty.

But what if, in a state of grace, we can answer these two questions more truthfully?  Who am I?  I am created by God, in His image.  I am the pinnacle of His creative work.  But, I’m not perfect.  I don’t measure up.  But I am His child. Who is God?  God is amazing.  Beyond compare.  The creator of all.  The sustainer of all.  In all things, perfect.  Demanding our moral perfection, God even provided a substitution for our sin in His Son, Christ Jesus, who died in our stead.

And so, with as much grace as we can muster, the feelings inside can change.  Our anger subsides, as we realize that we are not morally free from suffering.  Our despair brightens, knowing that God is both in control and capable of restoring us.  Our pain lessens, knowing that God offers restoration through faith in Christ.  What do I feel?  I feel His love.

The question?  It’s not “why?”  We are not in left field, as Abbott and Costello might put us in their imaginary baseball team.  The questions are simple, and the answers are profound.  Who is God?  God is love.  Who am I?  I am his beloved.  Let us live in that love.  And let us love one another.