Sad News

This morning we woke to the sad news of the passing of the singer Whitney Houston. I always feel so sad whenever I hear of anyone who has lost their struggle against addiction. Maybe it's because of personal experience with a close family member (addicted to alcohol not drugs) and knowing how these situations can lead to such pain, not only for the addict but for family and friends too. And so this morning this news brought back painful memories and stirred emotions deep inside.

Many look on addiction along with other unsociable behaviour and habits and in a way we console ourselves with the fact that 'we live in a fallen world' and that 'people make their own choices in life'. I know that is true and I know by heart the many Bible verses that we quote at such times. Yet deep inside, something cries out 'Why, God?' 'Why, after 2000 years have we not managed to change the world?'

I know there are many who work amongst the homeless, the addicts and all others living in the margins of society and they do a great work but sometimes it seems that we are fighting a losing battle. I don't have a magic wand or the answers to my questions. Neither do I sit in judgement or condemn. Today my heart is just crying as I lament before God for the lost.