We all have wish lists of things that we'd like. Take a moment now and think about what's on your wish list.
Maybe your wish list includes things like "I want my loved ones to be healthy, to be happy, to love the Lord and walk with Him all of their lives." The list may also include good health, more money, a better job, less debt, and freedom from some sin or pattern of failure. It could go down to things like a new roof for your house, a new car, new appliances and furniture. There are many other altruistic things that may be on your list, such as the desire to be fruitful in His service.
Like many folks, I've experienced great loss. I don't consider any of it exceptional, but it's been nonetheless very hard.
I've learned through these trials that there's one thing I absolutely must have. It's becoming clearer to me that this whole thing, the entire existence of mankind on earth, through the Milky Way galaxy all the way to all of the galaxies and the entire creation...this whole thing is His story, Jesus' story. It's not my story or your story or anyone else's story. It is Jesus' story. It's a story that God started and is writing for His own many-layered purposes. Though many things going on in this creation currently cause Him immense heart-pain, He doesn't intend to let those things and that heart-pain go on forever.
Here's a fact: He gets to do anything He wants to do, anytime He wants to do it, and He never ever owes me an explanation. At first, that thought frightened me. But the longer I'm alive, the more I understand that it is a very good fact. It's a fact that I embrace.
So, since this isn't even close to being my story, the one thing I absolutely must have is this: For His story to turn out the way that makes Him happiest, no matter how it works out for me in this life. I still have my own personal wish list, but it's now moved to an unimportant corner of the page and the ink in which it's written has faded. I understand now that if His story turns out the way He wants and my part in His story turns out the way He wants, it's good. I couldn't begin to ask for more than that, couldn't begin to imagine anything better than that...except, of course, for the part in His story that includes you.
I surrender to Him making Himself happy, whatever that means for me here, however that works out for me here. If He is happy, then I will partake in His happiness. It's easy to surrender to that destiny, but it's not so easy to say "However it turns out for me in this world." Think about adopting that attitude with God. Pray about it. Jesus Followers will find great freedom in that approach to life.
Your part in His story is a good one. It brings Him great happiness. He likes what He has written for you.
Scriptures that reflect some of these truths are
Maybe your wish list includes things like "I want my loved ones to be healthy, to be happy, to love the Lord and walk with Him all of their lives." The list may also include good health, more money, a better job, less debt, and freedom from some sin or pattern of failure. It could go down to things like a new roof for your house, a new car, new appliances and furniture. There are many other altruistic things that may be on your list, such as the desire to be fruitful in His service.
Like many folks, I've experienced great loss. I don't consider any of it exceptional, but it's been nonetheless very hard.
I've learned through these trials that there's one thing I absolutely must have. It's becoming clearer to me that this whole thing, the entire existence of mankind on earth, through the Milky Way galaxy all the way to all of the galaxies and the entire creation...this whole thing is His story, Jesus' story. It's not my story or your story or anyone else's story. It is Jesus' story. It's a story that God started and is writing for His own many-layered purposes. Though many things going on in this creation currently cause Him immense heart-pain, He doesn't intend to let those things and that heart-pain go on forever.
Here's a fact: He gets to do anything He wants to do, anytime He wants to do it, and He never ever owes me an explanation. At first, that thought frightened me. But the longer I'm alive, the more I understand that it is a very good fact. It's a fact that I embrace.
So, since this isn't even close to being my story, the one thing I absolutely must have is this: For His story to turn out the way that makes Him happiest, no matter how it works out for me in this life. I still have my own personal wish list, but it's now moved to an unimportant corner of the page and the ink in which it's written has faded. I understand now that if His story turns out the way He wants and my part in His story turns out the way He wants, it's good. I couldn't begin to ask for more than that, couldn't begin to imagine anything better than that...except, of course, for the part in His story that includes you.
I surrender to Him making Himself happy, whatever that means for me here, however that works out for me here. If He is happy, then I will partake in His happiness. It's easy to surrender to that destiny, but it's not so easy to say "However it turns out for me in this world." Think about adopting that attitude with God. Pray about it. Jesus Followers will find great freedom in that approach to life.
Your part in His story is a good one. It brings Him great happiness. He likes what He has written for you.
Scriptures that reflect some of these truths are
Romans 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Matthew 25:23 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
Acts 2:28 YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF JOY IN YOUR PRESENCE.'
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