My dear high-school friend was bright, tender-hearted, and thoughtful; but she was not happy. One morning she did not come to school. I learned later that she had taken her own life. I was devastated. Many questions crossed my mind. What if I had talked to her more often about how she felt? Was there anything I could have done? How could I have missed the signs of trouble?

Many people at my school called my friend’s suicide a sin. But from the Bible and from my church I had learned that God is love. It did not make sense to me that an all-loving God would condemn my friend because she could not bear the weight of life’s harshness. I felt guilty, confused and fearful.

One of the reasons I chose Christian studies as my subject at college was to explore questions about God. I still do not have all the answers. Yet, I am passionate about proclaiming God’s unconditional love and unlimited forgiveness. He loves us in our pains as well as joys, in life’s valleys and on the mountains.

When I was at high school, I did not have the courage or certainty to assert that my friend was deeply loved by God. With confidence, I now proclaim that love is stronger than any condemnation, judgement or fear. God is love!

 

Prayer: Loving God, may my words and actions reflect your great love today and always. Amen