A Wake Up Call From God

Sometimes we wonder why God does not grant us a life of ease, free of burdens. Life is filled with many problems. Why do we struggle with health problems, financial, relationship and emotional problems?

Here’s an example from nature. The eagle finds the tallest tree or highest mountain ledge to build its nest. The eagle lays the first layer of the nest with sharp objects such as thorns and stones. Next, the eagle covers the layer of sharp objects with soft material, such as wood, feathers, and animal fur. As the baby birds hatch, the soft layer of the nest surrounds them.

After they grow a bit, the mother eagle takes the nest material and mixes it up. The jumbled mass becomes a mixture of sharp objects and soft ones. Some of the sharp edges even cut the baby birds’ skin. Soon, the mother stops putting food from her mouth into the babies’ mouths. Suddenly, their comfortable world has become painful. They are hungry and in pain from the sharp edges cutting into their bodies. The discomfort becomes so great that the babies begin to fly away to get out of the nest.

This beautiful analogy from nature explains the value of suffering in our lives. If people were too happy and comfortable in their physical existence, they would never seek God. Most people turn to God only in times of trouble. When they are faced with intolerable pain, an incurable illness, a devastating loss, or a financial disaster, they find that life is not as great as they thought it was. Suddenly, life becomes difficult. It is during those times of pain and crises that we begin to question if there is a God, and ask, what is the purpose of this life?