Why do bad things happen? Well, in certain situations that’s an easy question to answer. For example, if we drive carelessly and hurt ourselves in an accident the reason is because we were driving carelessly.

But there are other times when an explanation isn’t so easy.

But do you know what? Even when we don’t know why certain things happen, we know what to do:

Love God and help one another.

As Jesus says in Luke 6:31: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” The golden rule is golden for a reason: It’s very valuable to those who receive help!

-There’s a grocery store cashier who now thinks of their job more clearly as a significant way to serve others.
-Someone asked that people donate money to a struggling street centre as a way to mark their birthday.
-Someone else makes a praying gesture with their hands when they see police or firefighters drive by, as if to say “thank you” and “I’m praying for you.”
-Someone else earmarked an hour each day to call and check in on people who might be lonely.

Sometime in the future, when we look back on this crazy time, how will we judge our actions? Will we look in the mirror and judge ourselves based on whether we were able to philosophically or existentially explain everything that was going on? Probably not. My guess is that we’ll judge ourselves based on whether or not we loved God and helped one another.

Even when we don’t know why certain things happen, we know what to do. Love God and help one another.

By Matthew Ruttan

–“How to calm and relax your mind.” That’s my latest blog. I wrote it because so many people are feeling anxious and worried right now. It includes 20 practical ideas that should help! Click here to read.

–You can now receive an automatic email reminder every Sunday morning to connect directly to the YouTube live stream at Westminster Church where I lead worship and preach. Here’s the correct link to sign up for free. This Sunday’s theme: “Your weapons in the war against fear.”

–“Up!” is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on March 30.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.