Maneuvers - No. 46
My Love For You
is Good
There’s a lot of evil and suffering in this world. But there’s also a lot of good.
The dazzling dance of a butterfly. The soft touch of a breeze. The relaxing ebb and flow of the ocean waves. The sweet crunch of a ripe apple.
It’s also in the kindness of a friend. The faithful love of a spouse. The forgiveness of a son or daughter.
Those good things in life are not an accident. They’re from God. He’s the one who gives us “every good gift and every perfect gift” (James 1:17, ESV).
What if we saw every good thing in our lives as a personalized gift directly from Jesus? How would that impact how we view this world around us? How would it affect how we treat and love others?
Friend, the more we experience and trust God’s goodness, the more we can share that goodness with others. And as we trust his motives toward us, we enjoy deeper fellowship with him.
But it’s not always easy to trust, is it? Our spiritual enemy loves to lie to us, whispering to us, “If Jesus really loved you, he wouldn’t have let that happen. If he really cared about you, he would have answered all your questions by now.”
Can we choose to reject that deceptive noise, friend? Can we choose to listen to God’s whispers instead? They’re so filled with love. So filled with truth.
Come, let’s sit at his feet and listen…
01.
The Message
“My ways are not your ways, I tell you. But this doesn’t mean I am not familiar to you. This does not mean you are unable to relate with me, get to know me, understand my character, my desires, my dreams. My ways are better than yours. Yet my ways are ones I can teach you to know and appreciate and want more of.
“There is so much goodness everywhere. Do you see it? Do you see how I am holding the whole world in my hands? How your two feet on the ground are because I have made the earth? How the air is fragrant with hope? How the birds sing and dance because they do not worry? How the sun shines because I tell it to?
“There is not a thing that is good that I do not desire and that I have not made. There is not one good thing you can dream up that I did not place in your heart. All that is good is from me. All that is lovely and kind, filled with color and movement and growth and rest. I am in all the gentle rhythms of the land. And in all the powerful forces of the earth, too. But I am good. I create good.
“You can rest in my goodness. You can believe in my strength. You can trust in the ways I have made you, and how there is so much more growth for you ahead. This growth is for your mind and your heart–if you want me to fuel your desires and motivations, if you want me to teach you good plans for your life, for the rhythm of healing and work and rest.
“Ask me questions and enjoy my presence more than my answers. Let my companionship fill you and stir you and equip you and settle you. You are okay now, with me. My ways are love. Always love. This is what you can count on more than anything. My love. It is stronger than anything. It is me.”
02.
Listen
Did you savor Holy Spirit’s presence as you read his words, friend? How did this week’s message make you feel? What words stood out to you the most?
Now, let’s respond to him with a written prayer.
03.
Think
“Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself” (Luke 12:32, MSG).
1. In what ways do you struggle to rest in God’s goodness? Why is it hard sometimes for you to believe in his strength?
2. In what ways do you fear you’re “missing out”?
3. How is Holy Spirit calling you to enjoy God’s love this week? What is he leading you to do?
04.
Trust
When you think of the word “good,” friend, what comes to your mind?
Many people might define “good” differently. And why wouldn’t we? Each one of us is unique with our diverse experiences and preferences.
But let’s look at how God defines “good.” To start, let’s take a moment to read Genesis 1.
God made light, and it was good. He made the earth, and it was good. He made stars, plants, animals, and finally, humans–and all of it was good.
Genesis’ account of Creation shows us who God is in such a profound way… Everything he makes is so, so good. It’s not flawed–it’s perfect. It’s not evil–it’s holy. It’s not death–it’s life.
And even though our sin brought death and suffering into this world, Jesus embraced death to give us the greatest good of all… life in him and with him.
Jesus says, “I give [my sheep] real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand” (John 10:28, MSG).
Can we take a moment to reflect on all the ways God has shown us his goodness?
Right now, let’s pull out our journals and write down every single gift God has given us.
Let’s get really honest and personal with this list. We might write down ways he provided for us, friends he put in our lives, prayers he answered, or ways he healed us. It all matters, friend.
Did you write them down? Good… Now, let’s ask God to show us where his goodness is in the areas where we’re hurting, where we feel alone and burdened. Let’s close our eyes and breathe deeply… one more time…
Let’s resist the urge to rush this moment. He’s with us, right here and now, eager to answer us, but even more so, eager to be with us and heal us.
So let’s rest here, in his presence, as we pray…
05.
Pray
Jesus, thank you for every single good thing you’ve given me. Thank you for my salvation, for my loved ones, for the talents and skills you’ve given me, and for the dreams you’ve put in my heart.
Will you show me your goodness in an even deeper way, Lord? Help me see it even in the hard and lonely places, where it’s so dark and desperate. Flood those places with your light so I can see you clearly. I long to see you.
I trust you to lead me, to continue guiding me into what is good, to continue growing me and healing me. I surrender to you.
I love you, Jesus. I love you. I love you. I love you.
Amen.
Waving the banner with you,
