by Rod Tickner, Licensed Lay Minister, All Saints, Keighley

MARY, diagnosed about four years ago with early onset dementia, is now bed ridden and profoundly affected by her dementia.

Has God allowed this? No. Has she done something wrong to warrant this? No. She exhibited an exemplary Christian faith. Rather her illness is an example of some of the awful tragedies that make up life. Having a faith does not make us immune from this world’s problems and challenges.

Do I understand? Not really. Can I explain? Not readily. Is it fair? Does not look like that to me. With all my studying of science, sociology, theology etcetera I have to admit I do not know. It is OK to admit that some things are a mystery: asking “What does God look like when confronted by doubts?”

But is this not what faith is about? If we knew the answer then there is no need for faith. If I could see it then it would be fact not faith. We are examining unknowns and trusting God.

Some say, God has a plan in all this. I see it as God works with whatever awkward stuff is thrown our way. Mary summarised this while she still could reason in the following words, “I do not like what is happening, I wish it was not here but whatever happens God is still God.”

After his resurrection Jesus commissioned his original disciples to make disciples of everyone and “to teach them all that I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:20).

Christian belief is less about worrying what happens to us when we die (God in his infinite love will arrange all that) but about being his agents here on earth in the kingdom that Jesus established through his life and death nearly 2,000 years ago.