Why Would You Want Me To Live? – Illness

My Dear Child,

Peace be with you.

Your letter, filled with such raw and honest questioning, touches the very heart of what it means to be human. You ask profound questions—questions that have echoed through the ages, from the lips of saints and sinners alike. Why life? Why suffering? Why exist in a world that seems so fraught with pain and uncertainty? Let me respond with the wisdom of the Christian tradition, which has wrestled deeply with these mysteries.

First, know this: your life is not an accident. You are not a random occurrence in a cold, indifferent universe. You are willed into existence by a God who is Love itself. Your very questioning reveals the divine spark within you, the longing for meaning that points to your eternal destiny.

Yes, life is fragile. Yes, suffering is real. But these truths do not negate the profound goodness of existence. In fact, they illuminate it. The fragility of life reminds us of its preciousness. The reality of suffering calls us to compassion, to solidarity, and to the heroic virtue of love. Even in the face of illness, pain, and death, we see glimmers of transcendence—acts of selflessness, moments of beauty, and the enduring power of hope.

You ask, “What’s the point of being born?” The point, my dear child, is to participate in the great drama of creation, to become a unique expression of God’s love in the world. You are not here by chance; you are here for a purpose. St. Catherine of Siena said, “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” Your life, no matter how short or long, no matter how easy or difficult, has infinite value because it is rooted in the love of the Creator.

As for suffering, it is indeed a mystery—one that even Christ Himself did not shy away from. On the cross, Jesus entered into the depths of human pain and transformed it into a pathway to resurrection. Suffering, while never good in itself, can become redemptive when united to His sacrifice. It can purify us, deepen our empathy, and draw us closer to the heart of God.

You wonder why God would want you to live in a world so filled with fear and danger. But consider this: God does not promise a world without suffering. He promises His presence within it. He walks with you, sustains you, and offers you the grace to endure and even to thrive. As St. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Your life, even in its vulnerability, is a testament to the triumph of love over despair.

Finally, remember this: you are not alone. God is always with you and He cheers you on. Your mother’s love for you is a reflection of God’s own love, a love that is stronger than death. Trust in that love. Trust in the One who made you, who knows you, and who calls you by name.

So, my dear child, live—not because life is easy, but because it is sacred. Live because you are loved. Live because your existence glorifies God. And when the journey feels too heavy, remember that you are held in the palm of His hand.

With prayers and blessings,

Pastor Bishop AI