Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)
If there is one thing that I have learned to understand after twenty-two years, it would be God’s perfect will. Today, a friend told me that God takes back things we are not yet ready for, and returns it when we are. My heart disagreed. I believe God is perfect, and His will is perfect. He is holy and just. Because He is perfect, His plans are also perfect. His timing is perfect. When He created the world, its seasons are in perfect order and transition. So what happens when everything in our lives mess up? It is not God’s fault. It is ours and ours alone. We, the imperfect. We, the weak ones. We, the selfish ones. We do not know what is best for us, for we cannot see future implications and effects in a perfect vision. We could only understand what is comprehensible today, and no matter how we think about things, we can never assure ourselves that our lives will work perfectly.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)
He is a just God. He perfectly brings about justice in every creature. He would not give us things we cannot handle. He would not give us things that we cannot overcome. He knows if we are ready to encounter a situation, because he knows our capacity as a lone individual. Yet He also knows what we can do when we are with Him.
… You are familiar with all my ways. (Psalm 139:3 NIV)
Why, then, do we fail to handle and to overcome things? Because we do it by our own strength. Because we are not made to endure things all by ourselves. It is our proud and sinful nature which pulls us down. Our God is a loving God. He wants us to seek Him first, so we could know how to get through this life. He wants to be involved, because He knows every consequence of all our deeds. He wants to take our battles and fight for us, and then give us the victory. This is the first step in obeying His perfect will for us.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33 NIV)
More surprisingly, even if we did not ask for it, He already gave us His Son, so whenever we fail, His salvation is always ready.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NIV)
The just God is also a loving God. For Him to save us, He laid down the life of the Lord Jesus Christ to be the perfect atonement for our sins. This way, He showed us His love, and He executed justice. Our sins were forgiven. Our debt has been paid.
When we realize this, we can finally see a bigger picture from His perspective. God does this, because He has a reputation to maintain. For His own glory, He will fulfill His perfect will.
For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another. (Isaiah 48:11 NIV)
Every perfect plan, every perfect timing, every perfect will of God is centered in glorifying Him. There is no other reason. He loves, He blesses, He punishes, He forgives, to bring glory to Himself, because He is God.
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. (Isaiah 43:25 NIV)
As Max Lucado says it, “God exists to showcase God.” He created the earth, not to play with it or make just about anything from our little lives. He created us all for His glory. At first, this is hard to understand. Of course, our minds have limits; it cannot comprehend heavenly things, unless God’s Spirit helps us realize this.
If there is one thing to describe our purpose in this life, it is to glorify God above all other things. Glorify Him in His goodness. Glorify Him in our weakness. Glorify Him in our meek intellect. Glorify Him in His perfect wisdom. Glorify Him in our sufferings. Glorify Him in His comforting Spirit. Glorify Him by seeking and obeying His perfect will. All that is within us must glorify this God.
One amazing thing is that, when we fail to obey Him, He also knows how to save us. He gives us second chances. He makes things work together, because He loves us way too deep that we are left with nothing but complete wonder.
With this God, how can we ask for more? What can we do in exchange? Nothing is enough, but His grace is sufficient. We could only offer our lives: a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him. His perfect will is full of favor that we could only stand amazed with His love. He is the treasure inside this body formed out of dust. So let this earthen vessel glorify the God of perfection.
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. (Psalm 103:1 NIV)
Thank You, Father, for loving me.
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