So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore: An Unexpected Journey

by Wayne Jacobsen

knew he was right in this with you, leading you to the life you’ve begged him for?” I had to think about that for a minute. “Then I certainly wouldn’t be so overwhelmed.” “No, you wouldn’t. And you’d still be able to enjoy his presence while he’s working this out. You’re missing what every writer of the New Testament proclaimed—even though God does not orchestrate our sufferings, he uses them to bring freedom at the deepest core of our being. If you walk with him through it, instead of pushing him away with blame or accusation, you’ll be surprised at what he will do.” “But I still don’t know how I’ll pay this hospital bill.” “But he does, Jake! He’s already working that out. The fact that you can’t see it yet doesn’t alter that reality.” “That would be okay for me if I didn’t have to see my daughter go through all of this. I can’t imagine that he’d make her sick to deal with me.” “And you’d be right about that. Andrea has her own journey with God and he’ll walk her through this as well. You can’t keep her from suffering and her struggle is not something God did to get through to you. But I don’t think you’ll ever see her with asthma again.” “Really? Why would you say that?” “I actually came to the hospital this evening to see another friend of mine whose life is approaching its end. That’s how I knew you were here. I saw you and your wife having a bit of a discussion outside Andrea’s room earlier.” Immediately I flashed back to that harsh exchange. Both