We have a popular saying in our church that people often quote: “What the devil meant for evil, God has used for good.”
That is what we often say, only after some time has passed and as an answer to the question: “Why do bad things happen to good people.”
Yesterday, as I read the Philippine Star, I came across the story: 2010 Bar blast suspect passes Bar exams. The story which was a collaboration of inputs from Ria Mae Booc/ The Freeman, Dino Balabo and jun Elias focused on how a Law student; Jed Carlo Lazaga went from being a suspected terrorist to becoming a victorious and inspired lawyer.
Lazaga was wrongfully suspected of being the bomber of the 2010 Bar examinations when his identification card was found at the scene of the crime where a grenade had been thrown at students and would be examinees. That simple twist of fate nearly ruined Lazaga’s life were it not for the intervention of school authorities.
In that same day, a young lady who was part of a crowd of well-wishers became the most famous victim of the grenade blast. Her fame came at the cost of losing her leg but not out of public sympathy but because of her courage and resolute faith in God’s plan, purpose and reason for her “misfortune.” Her name was Raissa Laurel.
I have no doubt that they both asked why such a bad thing could happen to them. I suppose that if they simply succumbed to the injustice and tragedy, they could have easily slipped into dark despair or bitterness.
But God does work in mysterious ways.
In the case of Jed Carlo Lazaga, God gave him help and protection through his Alma Mater and used the sense of injustice to give Lazaga a sense of purpose and a mission. After passing the Bar exams, Lazaga now wants to use his skills and qualification to help those who like him became victims of injustice whether through false accusations or poverty.
In the case of Raissa Laurel, she went through a very publicized journey of healing, recovery and revelation. Instead of becoming so bitter about losing her leg, Raissa publicly expressed her faith and trust in God. Because she was positive and optimistic about God’s purpose and plan, even the usually cynical media could not help but be drawn to her attitude of being the “victor” and not the “victim.”
As many now know, Raissa soon became the poster girl for physically handicapped people and even earned a special visit from President Noynoy Aquino who expressed his admiration for her courage and abiding faith.
For a while, people close to Raissa did not share her enthusiasm and forgiving attitude, some in fact were angry, bitter and hurt to watch Raissa bed ridden and eventually having to move about in a wheel chair. I’m sure that they even wondered if Raissa’s “Born Again” attitude was more of denial than acceptance.
Yet in a few short months, even those who questioned her “born-again” choice, eventually became “born-again” Christians, not because of doctrine or dogma, but because they saw a living example of a person whose faith was far greater than the collective pain of the people around her. In the end, Raissa’s faith helped heal the hurt and the injury of those around her.
Whether she becomes an outstanding lawyer or a global missionary, it is clear that what the devil had meant for evil in Raissa’s life, God had used for good.
As I write this article, it reminds me the many interviews that TV crews do among kids in squatters’ areas, evacuation centers or places of internal conflict. Every time, we ask them “What would you like to be when you grow up?” there will always be several children who will state a profession that is about remedy, healing and hope.
Often times they talk about wanting to be a doctor, a nurse, lawyer, a police officer or an engineer. Often they state a profession and their reason for doing so is in order to help solve the very problems or conditions they live with from day to day. I don’t ever recall a child asking: why us, why here, or why are we poor.
Children are wise enough to accept the truth and even wiser to believe that there is a way to becoming the solution to the problem. I pray that whatever your problems maybe, you will choose to trust in God and remember the lines: “What the devil meant for evil, God will use for good.”