In the Rough - The Blog of Joel McDonald Jr.

The question often asked is, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

To begin to understand, we also must ask, “Why do good things happen to bad people?”

Most attempts to answer these questions are seen as cop-outs by those struggling with their faith or have no faith at all. Faith is required to accept answers such as, “It’s all in God’s will.” Often such answers help to stoke the fires of anger towards God instead of aiding to preserve and strengthen faith.

Here is my attempt at a slightly different angle to answer these questions:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous…Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5:43-47

Often people consider the reference to rain in this verse to be a negative. In essence, they interpret the verse to that is reads, “God sends the bad to all people, righteous and unrighteous” I don’t consider this interpretation to be in the spirit of the region, time period, and complete reading of the verse. Note that it also says that God sends the sun along with the rain. A more meaningful reading takes into consideration that both the sun and rain are life giving forces needed by all people. So, the verse should read, “God provides for all people, regardless of their righteousness.” Rain is not a constant occurrence. We know the sun rises and the suns sets, but rain doesn’t follow such a schedule. Sometimes it rains in one location and does not fall in another. Sometimes we will see the unrighteous being provided for and the righteous going without.

Choice does play a role. We can chose to move to regions which receive more rainfall so that we can be in a position to be better provided for. We can place ourselves in situations to take advantage of the provisions of God.

God has provided for all people. Sometimes such provisions seem random, and sometimes taking advantage of these provisions requires making choices. Likewise, the choices of others may affect us as well. God doesn’t allow good things or bad things to happen to anyone. What we see as good or bad are the combination of the laws of creation and the decisions of mankind.

We can not blame God for our circumstances. We can, however, give thanks for what God has provided to all people and the opportunity to take advantage of those provisions to improve our lives. Further, we can seek to aid those whose circumstances lack the provisions we enjoy. We can be the instruments which help to ensure that God’s provisions truly sustain all people around the world.

On June 14th, 2006, I boarded a plane in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and made my way back to Virginia Beach, Virginia. I had left exactly 23 months before. During that time, I served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a difficult period of time for me, as it is for many who choose to serve. And like many, it left me feeling far removed from the teachings of a Church I once loved.From that date to now, the past year has been a whirlwind of activities. For the most part, I’ve accomplished what I knew I needed to do in the first year. I acquired a car in the form of a ‘93 Mustang, got a good job a the Data Support Specialist of Luxford Elementary School, started school at Axia College of University of Phoenix, and moved into my own place.

My work has allowed me many opportunities to experiment and learn new skills and use these skills to develop useful applications. These applications have enhanced academic curriculum and have saved hundreds of hours of valuable planning time for teachers. One such application received newspaper and television mention. It’s the time saved that I’m most proud of. When I hear a teacher speak of the time one of my applications saved them, I know that what I’m doing makes a difference. I plan to continue in my current position into the next school year.

One accomplishment this past year was in an area I’ve never engaged in before. On March 18th, 2006, I completed the Shamrock Half-Marathon here in Virginia Beach. I’m not an athletic person by any stretch; however, I was inspired by the health initiatives ongoing at Luxford and I set out to complete the 13.1 mile course. I did not train like I should have, but I pushed my way through. It was an incredible experience. I’ve never pushed myself as hard as I did that day to complete the course. I plan to do it again this coming March.

Not being active in a church has created something of a void in my life. I’m currently seeking opportunities to engage in worthwhile endeavours. Most recently, I became a shareholder of a group known as the Bladarion Financial Group, a partner with Kiva.org. This group provides micro-loans to entrepreneurs in third world nations to help them become self sufficient. I’m sure I will write more about the people and businesses we fund as time progresses. It’s a great feeling to be a part of something that is making the difference in the life of a person who may not otherwise have the means to support themselves. I, and other shareholders of Bladarion Financial Group, have been blessed with so much. Partnering with Kiva.org is just one way we can share these blessings with others in less than desirable conditions.

Internally, the last year has been a quest for a balanced perspective on life and an acceptance of who I am and what I believe. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a perfect person. I have flaws. I make mistakes; sometimes large ones. However, in each imperfection I hope to gain an increase in understanding about life. I don’t have all the answers. I don’t think anyone does. To make matters worse; the answers I do have are likely to be incorrect. That’s okay. I’m not going to stress about what I don’t know. I refuse to let my life be ruled by the dictates of my imperfections. I refuse to let my emotions hurt me and those around me. I refuse to let the trivialities of life get in the way of being the best person I can possibly be. I look forward to the next year and what I will bring to it.

This is amazing. I often wonder what the next life altering invention or discovery will be. Today, I believe I found one.Researchers at MIT have developed a technology to transmit electricity - get this - wirelessly. Imagine a world without power cables or batteries needing to be charged. WiTricity (Wireless Electricity) can make such a world a reality.

I think the article on MIT’s news page is much better than anything I can write about this exciting news. Check it out!

It has been amazing to see the response of many around the nation to the publicity postmormon.org garnered when the community unveiled it’s first billboard a couple months back. It was an article about the billboard which began my involvement in the community, even if such involvement is minor. I am, for the most part, proud of what the postmormon.org community does on a daily bases. We may get off the mark every now and then, and even scwabble about our differences; however, for the most part we know that we are there to support each other in one of the most difficult transitions a person can endure: leaving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Recently, The New York Times printed an article featuring members of the community. I invite you to read it. I think they are a wonderful example of how such a transition impacts a family and how keeping the right attitude can help such families.