In action movies, I like the end best, when the bad guys have been apprehended, the innocent rescued, the good guys reunited, and the world has become a safe place once again. Throughout the movie I am anxious, on edge. I know the good guys will win – they always do. But I still feel a sense of relief when the story ends. Whew. We made it.
When I think of God’s goodness, I am tempted to think of that “end of the story relief.” When everything is made right. When truth and justice prevail. When I and my loved ones are completely healthy, whole, and living with plenty. But to maintain this view of God’s goodness would leave me perpetually disappointed, because that is not how life is – yet.
We are characters in our own action movie. But this is no hour-and-a-half production! Our movie, our story, takes years, decades, from start to end. Then the sequel begins with our adventures in heaven. But for now, we are in the middle of our action movie, knowing we will triumph in the end, but a lot happens between now and then.
What is God’s goodness? One definition of goodness is ‘virtuous or righteous living, for the benefit of others.’ That sounds just like God. Perfect in all he does. And all he does is for the benefit of his children.
God knows best what we need. He promises to be with us always – and he never comes empty-handed. He provides an endless supply of peace, joy, comfort, protection, provision. His goodness spills out over us, just by being near him.
There is a song entitled, “Sometimes He Calms the Storm,” in which the lyricist speaks of God’s prerogative to choose how to help his children in their times of difficulty. At times God “calms the storms” of our lives – bringing healing, miraculous provision, or deliverance. It is easy and exciting to rejoice over God’s goodness in these seasons.
Yet at other times we suffer long in poverty, sickness, brokenness – as God allows the storm to rage on. It is in these seasons that we see God’s goodness in that he “calms his child.” In the very midst of the trial and pain, God covers his child with peace, comfort, courage, even joy.
Can you relax enough to enjoy this feast and fellowship with Christ and your brothers and sister with the war raging around you? That is God’s goodness!
That is the true picture of God’s goodness. That he not only brings us through difficulty — but that he sustains us and gives us good gifts amid the difficulty. Furthermore, when we come out of those seasons, we see that he has fashioned a bit more Christ-likeness in us. We are a bit humbler, more patient, more trusting, less selfish.
We have something the world could never have. Hope. True hope. Belief that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. We know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. That’s us!
In Joseph’s life we see how all things worked together for good. He lived through a lot of “bad;” jealousy, betrayal, loneliness, slavery, injustice, imprisonment, wide-spread famine. Yet God was with him through every situation, keeping him safe, promoting him, developing leadership skills, compassion, and humility in him. When given the chance to take revenge on the very ones who started him down this dark road, how did he respond? “Don’t be afraid… You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” (Gen. 50:19-21).
In the midst of his trials, Joseph held onto the goodness of God. God hadn’t abandoned him. He wasn’t punishing him. He was using him for His glory, and for the salvation of many. Joseph embraced God’s plan for his life, the bad and the good. He was able to succeed in every setting God allowed him to be in, whether desirable or horrible.
In the same way, God fashions and forms us into who we need to be to fulfill his plans for us. To be light and hope to a dark and hopeless world. If I have joy in the midst of trials, peace in the midst of chaos, faith in the midst of lack, kindness in the face of hatred, and patience in the waiting and waiting and waiting — what message does that convey to those around me? That I go through the same things they go through. That life is as unfair to me as it is to them. Yet, there is something different. I have a secret source. I am thriving in the same situation that is causing them to shrivel and shrink. Will they listen to my message, my story?
Goodness does not necessarily mean that my situation will change, that my dreams will be fulfilled. It does mean that I can have deep satisfaction knowing I am pleasing my savior and being used to show his goodness to those around me. I can be assured of rewards for every decision towards goodness, for every avoidance of evil in my thoughts, words, and actions, for every time I embrace the suffering allowed by God to create HIS image more deeply inside of me.
Psalm 23 tells us that “He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies.” God prepares a table, a feast, a safe place of belonging, fellowship and nourishment, smack dab in the middle of the battle, with the enemy looking on. When life is difficult around us, when it is difficult to see “goodness” anywhere, we can trust that God is with us, that he is working for our good, and that we can rest.
Can you relax enough to enjoy this feast and fellowship with Christ and your brothers and sister with the war raging around you? That is God’s goodness!
