Seeking God's best over your "good"

I’ve clung to Romans 8:28 and dissected it over and over again for the last several weeks, probably even months, because there’s so much power, conviction, and hope behind it. But ultimately, it’s caused me to pause with an overwhelming sense of peace.

It's a great verse to dissect. It's slightly short, but there are a lot of moving pieces within those words. When I read through the verse three consecutive times, I notice a different feeling with each read:

1. At the first read, it sounds powerful. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” That truly sounds powerful almost beyond comprehension. How can God order good for THAT many people? I’m not really sure how He does it, but I am assured that He does.

2. At a second glance, I’m almost convicted and stumped with the word “good.” You see, I’ve been taught over and over again that God’s “good” isn’t always the same definition I use for “good.” Sometimes things, paths, ideas seem morally good, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re God’s best for you. I’m convicted of believing so strongly in things that are surface-level good instead of just surrendering the root of those things, which is desire. But the action of this thought process doesn’t feel right unless you truly bask in an already provided peace.

3. After that feeling of conviction, another read makes the verse sweet. God defines “good” with His idea of best. His call to order is crafted together so flawlessly, and only He can see the bigger picture. He orchestrates every movement, breath, raindrop, ray of sunshine to seamlessly align with His vision and His will. When we remember his perfect hand, we find comfort.

I look around at our hurting world- suicide rates are high and heartbreaking, mass shootings are shattering communities, too many Americans are living without homes, natural disasters are turning worlds upside down, and the list goes on… But, humanity only pauses the political and social isolation for one short moment to empathize, and then we’re back to the loudness. If only our world could be more still and rest in this promise and speak this promise over the hurting souls, we would realize that with God, it will all be okay. After all, there’s a home much more important, warming, and delightful in the end days ahead. That’s the end goal. It matters more than our “good.” Heaven is God’s ultimate good for us, and our lives should be totally devoted to sharing this good with others.

This world will never consistently feel good to the flesh. Following the patterns of this world will actually rot the soul. Pursuing God’s good isn’t always comfortable, but it sets the stage for the overflowing taste of good in heaven. This is why advancing His kingdom is so important.

So, my prayer for you, friends, is that you pause for a moment and differentiate your desires from the Lord's because His will point you upward and create an example of exuberance for those watching you. It's a tricky pattern of thought, but it will be worth it when God says to you, "well done, my good and faithful servant." I'll be right here working on that mindset with you.