Chapter 15 Doubts

The next few days, Jason kept coming back with more questions. But this time, they weren't just sarcastic remarks or surface-level curiosity. They were real, deep questions that made Noah stop and think.

"If God is real, then why is the world such a mess?" Jason asked one afternoon while they were walking home. "Why does He let bad things happen?"

Noah hesitated. He had heard this question before, but hearing it from Jason made it feel different. More personal.

"I won't pretend I have all the answers," Noah admitted. "But I think part of it is that God gave people free will. If He forced everyone to be good, then love and faith wouldn't mean anything."

Jason scoffed. "So, He just lets people suffer instead? That doesn't sound like a loving God to me."

Noah bit his lip. He had asked himself the same thing before. But instead of getting defensive, he nodded. "I get what you mean. I've wondered that too."

Jason looked at him, surprised. "Wait, you have doubts?"

"Yeah. Faith isn't about having every answer. It's about trusting even when you don't fully understand." Noah sighed. "But I do believe God is good. Even when bad things happen, I think He's still working—sometimes in ways we don't see."

Jason kicked a rock down the sidewalk. "So, you're saying I just have to believe even if it doesn't make sense?"

"Not blindly," Noah said. "But maybe instead of looking for every answer first, you try looking at who Jesus is. If He really is who He says He is, then the rest starts to make sense."

Jason didn't respond right away. They walked in silence for a while until he finally muttered, "Guess I'll have to think about that."

Noah smiled. "That's all I'd ask."