Faithful? Are you sure?
Tonight as I was wasting a bit of time on Facebook, I noticed the status of a friend of mine. Apparently her dogs had gotten loose, but had been found after prayer and searching or friendly neighbors or something. Which is great. A relief for sure. Anyway, something in her post struck me. She mentioned how it was, "another reminder from our Father that He cares for things dear to our hearts." Which again, is great. And I don't have a problem with that. At all. Honest. But it got me thinking. What about all the things/people dear to my heart that He hasn't returned. No, they haven't been returned at all. More like ripped from me at times. Painfully. Irretrievably. What are those instances and circumstances supposed to remind me of? That He doesn't care about the things dear to my heart? That I haven't prayed enough or with enough faith? That really they were idols in my heart that needed pruning out anyway? I am thankful for the reminders He gives me. For the items and people returned or whatever it is that shows me He hears me. That He sees me. That He cares for me. But sometimes the dog gets run over. And it sucks. That doesn't change the truth of Him caring for what is dear to my heart. This simple status update offering acknowledgement of God's goodness has provoked me to consider circumstances in my day. To remember that God isn't good and moving and working and faithful because my day goes well and my prayers get answered. He is good and moving and working and faithful because that is who He is. Period. My life, my circumstances are not the standard by which He is judged. Yet He is gracious to show me His faithfulness in my life in ways I can understand. Through friends who remind me of truth and who won't let me quit this struggle of faith and those who call and offer to take me shopping so we can catch up on life. And so many other ways. But I have to remember that God's goodness and character and faithfulness is not founded in my life, but in His life, His essence, His word.
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights."
Habakkuk 3:17-19
posted by Davida at 10:49 PM
2 Comments:
I know exactly what you mean. A friend of mine recently said that he felt his business was blessed since he's been going to bible study and being obedient to God. So... mine hasn't been blessed because I don't go to his bible study? I have to earn the blessing of God? No, in honesty I don't believe this at all. I believe that every day is a blessing and a gift from the creator. Every breath comes from him. We should be grateful for that and that should be enough.
Davida, I just re-discovered your blog and saw this post. You said exactly what I feel and said it so beautifully. I, too, have seen so many people relate something good that happened to them and then say "God is so good!"
For about 3 years I was in a very difficult place dealing with divorce, extreme financial lack, spiritual issues, etc., and reading those things caused me to question my own perceptions. Like you, I came to the conclusion that we need to recognize God is good no matter what, and we need to be careful how we paint God's goodness. It would be so easy for someone to get the impression that God is good BECAUSE he does good things for us. And we know that's not the way it is! God Bless--I'm off to read more of your blog. :)
Carolyn B.
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