As physicians in the UK we see tragedies and heartbreak; the stillborn baby, the young father who dies of cancer, a child who is run over. Working as a physician in Ecuador I have witnessed many, many more tragedies; young mothers with terrible, neglected, fungating breast tumours, whole families travelling on a motorbike together who meet their death when a taxi ploughs into them, babies born with cleft palate who starve to death.
Yet I have been struck by the very different reactions to suffering I have encountered in these different cultures. In Britain I have heard the question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” many times. I have never heard an Ecuadorean ask that question – in fact they cannot understand why we would ask such a question. Tragedies are accepted as “destiny”. I ask myself how they can be so accepting in the face of devastating loss.
In Ecuador, poverty and ignorance conspire to cause many of the tragedies we now prevent. People cannot afford a car so whole families, babies and all, ride around on motorbikes – and sometimes crash. People cannot afford to pay doctor´s fees so their cancer goes untreated and they die young. Many people are unschooled and do not know how to investigate a cause and find a way of preventing accidents. They have lower expectations from life. They are not under the illusion they are in control of their own destiny. They see tragedies every day. They know “each man´s life is but a breath.” (Psalm 39:5)
In Britain we like to rationalise everything. We are taught to think scientifically; to question, probe and theorise. When an accident or illness strikes we look for a cause; something or someone to blame, a way to make sense of it all, a way to prevent it happening again. Prevention is of course so very important (and something the Ecuadoreans could do with implementing more), but somehow in Britain we have come to believe that we are in control of our own circumstances. Our expectations of life are very high. We think we have the right to a healthy, long life. We have social security, insurance, and the NHS to protect us from poverty and death. We rarely feel vulnerable. We focus so much on the material world, the here and now, that we no longer have an eternal perspective on life. We may even, while times are good, forget that we need God at all.
Then circumstances strike that are beyond our control, contrary to our expectations and which play havoc with our “rights”. Cancer treatment fails in a thirty five year old and we are confused and let down by her death. A baby dies and we wonder if God cares. We pray pleading for and even claiming healing. We experience a crisis of faith when God does not seemingly answer our prayers. We ask why a loving God allows suffering – and more particularly why He allows my nice, kind family and friends to suffer.
When they hear of the scale of the suffering in Ecuador people suggest that life is cheap; that a life is not valued in Ecuador. But this is not true. Yes, illnesses are advanced and accidents and deaths are common. However the emotions are the same. Nine year old Emilio´s mother sat for months gazing at a photo of her son after his accidental death. Never mind that such accidents are frequent in Ecuador– she was devastated by her loss. So why did she never ask God why He allowed this tragedy to occur?
My observation is that Ecuadorians have a more humble approach to God. They say, with the psalmist, “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:4) They do not demand God´s intervention, though they may beseech Him. They know we live in a fallen, sinful, suffering world. They do not expect to be exempt from pain. Instead of asking “Why me?” they would remark, “Why not me? I am no better than anyone else.”
Ecuadorians identify with the suffering Christ. When tragedy strikes they do not push God away in anger. They grieve, cry and weep with their Saviour. I have seen them lift their eyes to meet His loving gaze and be assured this life is not all there is. They trust Him. They hold on to their belief that a kingdom is coming “where God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17) A kingdom which will last much longer than a breath – a kingdom that will last for all eternity.
Living in Ecuador has certainly made me much more aware of life´s uncertainties and insecurities and in turn my daily reliance on God. I find it is a beautiful place to be. When our props and defences are swept away we find ourselves on the solid rock, Jesus, who will take us safely through every storm that we battle.