“God is good all the time.” Whenever I hear the lines to that song, I think of my sister-in-law who determinedly quoted it when she was diagnosed with cancer, reminding herself and others that walking by faith means taking his character at his word rather than allowing circumstances to determine the truth. For someone to be good all the time, it means that there’s not a single element of darkness in them. God is obviously the only one who can claim this title. In James, we’re reminded that he "doesn’t change like shifting shadows." He’s the same good God today that he was thousands of years ago and he won’t be any different in the future. His goodness permeates his every thought, intention, plan and motive.
In his goodness he's devised a plan for each of us. It’s easy to fall into the world’s trap of thinking that we’re all creating our own destiny, forging our own way. There are people, even Christians, who draw up future plans that unfold in story-tale fashion with such great similarity to their initial desires we find it fascinating to say the least. Then there are others, like myself, who try as they might to force future plans end up watching them flop to the ground, where they suddenly, almost miraculously, morph into something different.
These foiled attempts at determining my future are the ones that continually remind me that God is not only good, but he has a master plan. He’s the one who determines my steps, my true destiny. I still work and pray, set goals and move toward them, but all the while resting in the promise that he will fulfill them according to his will.
Holding on and letting go – that’s the tension of the Christian life. We’re commanded to live our lives to the fullest, investing ourselves heartily in all that we do. But we're to do it with a lose grip and a surrendered heart that ultimately, like my sister-in-law, proclaims, “Not my will but yours be done.”
God is good all the time. I’m in the process of holding on and letting go, remembering as I struggle with releasing my desires that God desires only the best for my life. He is faithful, and I can trust him.
"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."
