GOOD

January 11, 2020

When you think “good,” what comes to mind? Something you enjoy? Something to helpful? Something comforting? Certainly not something difficult, right? How could that be “good?”

I am coming to terms with this concept of “good.” His goodness. Goodness that may not initially feel “good” but is good for me nonetheless. That’s not human nature, though, is it? We want what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. Think about how many ways you can personalize your Whataburger or Starbucks! And if it’s available to us, why shouldn’t we?

“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,” (1 Timothy 4:4 NIV).

THIS is where we get in trouble. We take bits of scripture and morph them to soot our “needs.” Read the scripture again…go ahead, I’ll wait…

It says “for everything GOD created is good” (emphasis added). It does NOT say everything IS good. It also says to receive with thanksgiving. Gratitude seems to be in short supply these days, especially if we do not think what we receive is “good,” which brings me back to this concept of His goodness.

Personally, I seem to be maneuvering from one unusual situation into another. This can get exhausting and utterly deflating. It’s easy to get swallowed up and wallow in a “what have I done to deserve this” mentality. Or “God must think I’m a real bad ass” mindset. Neither is healthy. Nor could they be further from the truth. I think we need a new framework in which to filter “good.”

God

Ordained

Opportunity

Development

GOOD, in this case, is from Him and should be received with thanksgiving. It may not look or feel like “good” in the moment, but God was never meant to be our servant. El Shaddai (God Almighty), yes. El Roi (God who sees), yes. Yahweh Yireh (God Provides), yes. God the “magic genie in the bottle whom we can beckon in a moment’s notice and have our wish granted,” no. Sounds ridiculous seeing it in print, and yet, that’s exactly how a majority of us expect God to operate. Not only is this not good, it’s completely narcissistic, unrealistic and just plain bad!

So today, as I have no voice and am unable to speak in the literal sense, I am faced with a choice. I can choose to let the devil roam around the playground of my mind and allow him to run amuck with his lies, doubting God’s presence within me…OR, I can, with thanksgiving, identify this moment as GOOD. God Ordained Opportunity Development.

Truth be told, this is hard for my extroverted-self to comprehend, let alone apply, without the ability to vocally communicate in a very populated setting all weekend, but I’m trying. I’m praying for an extra portion of grace. I’m breathing and mentally framing my current frustrating situation, as best I can, as GOOD.