Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:16-17 (NIV)
What is ‘good’? Just as Pilate asked Jesus ‘What is Truth?’ while all the while looking straight at Truth Incarnate, we as humans often misconstrue ‘What is good?’, Amen? When we do this, we end up missing out on God’s best for our lives. His desire is to break us from wanting more to becoming more. This is often brought to life by our own poor choices or by our ‘kicking against the goads’ by what He allows in our lives or by refusing to walk in His ways – in His paths of righteousness. God is much more concerned in conforming us into the image of His Son than filling our lives with the trinkets of this earth. And we should want what He wants too as that is taking hold of life that is truly life, Amen?
More often than not, we so often buy into what the world deems as “good”. Do we believe it’s all about more? More clothes in the closet? More comforts in the den? More money in the bank? More health in the body? More buildings, marquees, publications or whatever’s bearing our names? More children in the home? And on and on and on it goes. ‘Good’ is not merely ‘wants.’ ‘Good’ can be as varied as the people who populate this dusty earth. Simply put, ‘good’ is always God’s best for a life. The Maker of all humankind has a plan and purpose for every.last.one.of.us and our best is always to walk in it – be it ever so hard. Remember, every creature He created is pregnant with His purpose for their lives. And we are the most satisfied when we are walking in it.
His will is revealed in a myriad of ways from His Word, from the Holy Spirit’s promptings Who indwells every true believer in Christ, from prayer and petition with thanksgiving, from fellow sojourners – why God can even use a donkey or a great big fish! And believe me, you always want to be in the center of His will as it is good and pleasing and perfect. Don’t fight against God’s best because it is hard. Allow Him to conform you to the image of Christ. We are the ultimate losers if we don’t. It is the life of true blessedness.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)