Is Life Fair?

“If you want life to be fair, then go to the state fairgrounds for two weeks in August and life will be fair!” These were the words spoken by my former pastor and dear friend Bob Russell over 30 years ago. I believe that God has given great Christian leaders like Bob words of wisdom that can be an enduring blessing and guide for life to those of us privileged to hear them. At the time I heard Bob speak these words, I believe it would be accurate to say that I was not accustomed to thinking about life that way. In my Christian Walk and in my professional work as a corporate lawyer, I believed that it might be possible to strive to create some version of Heaven on Earth in business, government, healthcare, and education if people in leadership positions in society worked diligently to that end. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe Biblical stewardship requires all Believers to seek to improve and better that portion of society where they have agency. But that Biblical stewardship responsibility is different than my somewhat naïve view that life could and should be made fair.  I sense that many of the young adults I interact with at our Church are surprised that their life experiences are much harsher and less fair than they would have ever imagined. Loved ones die unexpectedly; family members and close friends get divorced; kids get very sick; career advancement is uneven and difficult; and unfortunate family conflicts arise. Why do these things happen? Life seems so unfair! This reaction is very understandable and not surprising for these young adults. 

As I enter the late innings of my life, I consider myself uncommonly blessed by God with a great wife and two great kids and the wonderful professional career I had as a corporate lawyer. But even in that framework, I would have no desire to live life over again as there have been many heartbreaking and embarrassing events in my life. Yes, in many respects, life has not always seemed fair. 

 I realize that it is easy for Christians to be lulled into thinking that the default for life should be fair, at least for individuals who are serving important and meaningful roles with their church, families, and work. Shouldn’t God provide these individuals with some special hedge of protection because of their important roles in the Kingdom of God? But of course, God makes no such promise in His Word. Jesus made it clear in John 16:33 that life would not be easy but more importantly that He has overcome the world.

It does not seem fair that at age 53 retired University of Florida President and retired United States Senator Ben Sasse is terminally ill with Pancreatic cancer and will soon be leaving behind a wife with a serious chronic medical condition along with two young adult daughters in their early 20s and a 14-year-old son. Mr. Sasse was a prolific leader from a Christian world view perspective in the United States Senate and then in higher education as the President of the University of Florida. He stepped down as President of the University of Florida a little over a year ago to spend more time caring for his ailing wife. Mr. Sasse has much more to give and share as a Christian intellectual but likely very little time left on this earth to do so. It also seems unfair that Melody, a Godly young woman in our church in her 30s who has given so much to the Kingdom of God with so much more to give, has shared publicly that she is terminally ill with brain cancer.

So how should we view life amidst the trials and challenges which life presents? I believe the answer for Christians is simple but certainly not easy. Hebrews 13:14 states “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” During the challenges and disappointments of life, I find it important to remind myself on a regular basis that this world is not the be all and end all for life. For Christians, this world is not our home. We are only passing through. Thankfully, Heaven awaits. Ben Sasse understands this and so does our church friend Melody. Every Believer should take note and do the same.

God bless you and thank you for the privilege of your time in reading my blog.