The whole world is groaning. Some people groan from wars, while others are distracted by conflicts. A third party is suffering from famine, epidemics, and turmoil. Even Nature could not flee from storms, earthquakes, volcanoes and Tsunami. In the light of all these events, humans wonder, or maybe cry out, “Where is God?”
God created the universe in the best image, then He created man to work and preserve it. Man became responsible for the prosperity of life on earth. Thus, each of us is responsible for his fellows. In effect, the higher man’s position is, the more his responsibility for others becomes. British dramatist, Peter Ustinov asserts that, “It is our responsibility, not ourselves, that we should take seriously.” Indeed, each of us has to realize his role and responsibility in alleviating sadness from the world, which is the first thing God assigns him.
During World War I, as two British soldiers were looking at the trenches fool of wounded people, one said, “Where is God now?” No sooner had they finished their question than they saw two people coming out of a trench, carrying a wounded soldier groaning with pain. The two soldiers answered them, “Look! God is here!”
Indeed, God works through man who undertakes his responsibility toward the world. Similarly, hungry children might wonder, “Where is God now?” Yet, as they find human hearts full of good and love, they surely realize that “God is here.” Thus, as man offers good, he leads others to realize His great good and love. Once, a man saw poor children suffering, so he wondered, “Lord, why do You allow this?” Then he prayed, “Please, God, do something for these poor people!” At night, something echoed within him, “I did something. I created you!” Indeed, it is your role toward every pained soul.
One person told me about a series called, “Touched By an Angel”. Though it is fiction, it has lots of meanings. In each episode a troubled person appears. So, an angel, disguised in human attire, is assigned helping him. This person’s confidence in God increases. What attracted my attention is that one way of helping humans is through their fellows who are counted angels that help at time of need and spread good. Thus, each person has to choose and decide his goal. Should he do what he was created for? Or should he choose himself at others expense? Which role would you choose?
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
