Does God Care?

I was involved (or more listening) to a discussion the other night. The discussion involved someone whose friends, or family members were trying to have a baby, and either weren't able to, or had a miscarriage. And the question was brought up (either from them, or by my friend), "Does God care if they have a baby?" And so we talked about that for awhile. And I thought it was an interesting discussion, probably because I think it took us awhile to reconcile what, in a way, we all felt when we heard it, and that was that it was the wrong question. My first question was, "what are you implying if you say yes or no to the answer?" Because everyone wanted to be careful about saying, "No, God doesn't 'care' about that." But what are we saying if we say He does care? What does "caring" about something mean. I'm sure most people wanted to immediately say "yes...of course He cares. He cares for us deeply." But that didn't answer the right question. He cares deeply for US. Does that imply he cares whether they had their baby? Does that imply he "cares" that I wear socks? Does that imply he "cares" which socks, given a choice, I choose? That is where the conversation went. And so we had to start examining what it means to care. And how it means, or implies different things in different situations. Does God care that you love others? Yes...it "matters" to Him. He desires for us to live a life filled with love for other people. Does God care that I wear red socks instead of green socks? Does it "matter" to God. Well...yes. But no. The decision of which socks to wear is not a moral decision (to steal Steve's phrase). So it does not matter on a moral scale. So what does matter to God regarding our socks? Well...maybe as much as it matters to us. An example given was that of parents who talk to their "off-to-college" child. They will ask him things like, "Are you getting enough to eat," "Did you pick up that detergent you said you needed," "How are your classes," "Do you eat lunch with anyone," "Is that wart creme working out for you?" And they ask, and care about things (we'll assume it's a genuine love and care, and not an attempt at living vicariously through a child) that other people don't "care" about. And they care about the things that matter to their child. If their child is hurt because he failed a test...they hurt and care about his test, and they will likely make a point to ask the next time he takes it, how he did. So how does this translate to the way God cares for us? Well...He loves and cares more deeply for us than a fallen parent ever could. I believe He hurts when we hurt, and rejoices when we rejoice. He did not look down on that couple that lost their baby in apathy or spite, but in love and compassion. So does he care about what socks we wear? Well...He cares intimately about us experiencing His creation and about the state of our hearts in this world. So if which socks we wear affect that...then yes! He does. And I believe there is no line that can be drawn to indicate how "big" things have to be before God begins to care. There are not "small" things and "big" things. There is no line between which on one side Man is in control, and on the other, God takes care of the big stuff. He is intimately involved in every aspect of the universe. I believe he is intimately and compassionately caring about the holding together of every atom. There is no line. And so the initial question just doesn't seem to ask the right question. The question should be, does God care FOR that couple. If yes, then everything that flows from that is true. Through THAT caring, he cares about whether they have the baby. Not in the sense that it means He will give them one. Because the caring is the outflow of His caring for their eternity and what is best for them. God is always and passionately working to bring us into the best that He has for us. Doesn't mean happiness all the time, in fact Hebrews 12 tells us that we should expect pain and discipline, and that if we don't have it...we are illegitimate sons. And it's not something that he will force upon us (getting into some interesting territory there). But it means that it's His desire for us...and He is doing great and mighty things to ensure it (mainly sending His son to the cross). And that if that couples seeks after Him, they will have His best. Whether that is a new life, or just to know what it's like to be held by the Father.

So...that's my opinion on it. The question itself seems wrong, almost in the way the questions, "Can God create a mountain so big that He can't move it" or "Does your Mom know you wet the bed" are wrong, yet...not so obvious.

Anyway...had fun listening to that conversation. And it was definitely thought provoking.