"God Did Not Do This"

Bulletin Column for April 26, 2020

            You may have caught some of the news conferences from Governor Andrew Cuomo, who serves in our next-door-neighbor state of New York. Recently he made a comment about the better-than-expected results from the quarantine, and here are his exact words: “God did not do that. Faith did not do that. Destiny did not do that. A lot of pain and suffering did that . . . That’s how it works. It’s math.”

            My friends, this is one of the greatest errors in the world today – the belief that science and God are somehow mutually opposed. If I pray for someone to get better but they also take medicine and recover, who can we attribute that recovery to? God, or medicine? The answer: both.

            Everything – literally everything – that we have is a gift from God. The insights of science, the power of medicine, the good decisions of government leaders – all of this comes as a free grace from God. Yes, we cooperate with that grace when doctors use their knowledge to heal, or when scientists develop a new medication. But without God we are not even granted another breath. All of our talents, gifts, money, health, community – all is a gift from God, and we are stewards – not owners - of these gifts.

            Our modern world often tries to “control” everything, from birth to death – but life isn’t about control but cooperation with God, His plan, and His grace.

            All of us – including Mr. Cuomo - would do well to remember that.