I quit going to church

By Joel Atwell

Dear church,

One of the most difficult questions with which we wrestle during this earthly journey is the question of human suffering. “If God is ‘all-loving’ and ‘all-powerful’ and ‘all-wise’ then why …?” Well, while I think the answer is wrapped up in the issues of human freedom and human sin, we’re going to have to save that discussion for another time. However, the good news is that because Christ is risen human suffering does not have the last word. In the cross of Christ, God fully entered into human suffering and, by his resurrection, he conquered it. And while, one day, because he is the Resurrected One, he will once and for all put suffering and death under his feet; even now, as we lean into his grace, God turns our pain inside-out and  uses it to accomplish his purposes in us and in the world. He even uses it to teach the church how to be the church.

Enter Austin Sparks. Austin is a 13 year-old seventh grader who is a part of our GC family (and happens to be my great nephew). Recently Austin was diagnosed with bone cancer. Unbelievable!

Of course we’ve cried and prayed and asked “why.” And, of course we continue to plead for God’s healing touch on his life. And, of course we wouldn’t wish this on Austin (or anyone) for one minute. However, even in the midst of this horrible situation we see God’s hand at work. Let me give just one tiny example (one of many).

Kara Pope helps us coordinate delivering “crisis care” to people connected to our church family – which, among other things, often consists of having meals brought in to people’s homes during times of duress. Well, because of the extenuating circumstances of Austin’s cancer treatments, Kara decided it would be helpful to arrange meals a couple times a week for a while to help the Sparks family through this difficult journey. So, she set up an on-line calendar where people could volunteer and this past Sunday she reported to me (with great joy and pride in her church family) that, so far,  people have volunteered to provide meals through the month of August!

Just so you’ll know; I share Kara’s joy and pride. Grace Community, way to “BE the church!” The only thing worse than Austin suffering with cancer is if we would not allow God to use his pain redemptively among us and teach us more and more what it means to BE the church.

Austin, we love you buddy! And we’re praying for you every day!

With a strange mixture of sadness and joy,



Joel