It Is Good

That’s what He said. This past Sunday. While I’m at church, in His presence, worshipping, yet questioning all at the same time. Yep,  all at the same time. See, I think we can worship and ask questions at the same time. We can praise and wonder at our outcome at the same time. We can live in this fleshly body and live for our good God at the same time.

How else do we make it through? 

Pretend not to question? Pretend we got it all figured out? Pretend we got this? 

No thank you! I’ve been there. Lived that lie. Pretended to have it all figured out and “I got this!” And I’m done with it.

So, I worship, I get into His presence. I seek His face. I expect Him to show up. I desire Him to be a part of my questions and wonder and even doubt at times. It’s when we get into those three places without Him that becomes the problem. I’ve learned that He can handle my questions, my wonder and doubt. He loves me and is near no matter what. Thank you God!!

So this Sunday as I’m talking to Him and worshipping Him and seeking His face about various things  ahead... God, how is my baby gonna go to the other side of this planet without me? God how am I gonna stay here and let her go? How much longer do I have to share my girls through this custody arrangement? How much longer do I have to take care of this house? What are me and Abby gonna do while Elizabeth is away? How is Abby gonna deal with her sister being away? How do I try to repair that broken relationship that I know you are wanting me to repair?....

See, my heart and my mind were frailing and spinning and going in all sorts of directions when I heard Him say, “It is good.” Just simply, “It is good”. 

Sometimes I hear the lies of the enemy. Sometimes they get a little loud actually. Sometimes in the middle of hearing those lies I forget to call them lies and speak truth over them and fear might jump up and bite me. And it doesn’t feel good. And I don’t like it at all.

He said, “It is good”. God  gently reminded me in that moment that at the end of each of the various things He created in Genesis He looked at it and declared, “It is good”. He reminded me that not only had He created then, long ago in the beginning of time, that He is still creating today, right now, each moment of every day. He is continually creating new life in each of us and He is bringing forth His plans, His purposes and His destiny every day we wake up. And He declares, “It is Good”! 

Even when we can’t see the big picture, when we are living for Him, “It is good”. Really good. Even when I have questions about tomorrow “It is good”. Even when I wonder what this next “season” will look like “It is good”. Even when I doubt that I can make it, “It is good”. 

Too often we equate the unknown with “it is bad” when in reality the unknown actually gives opportunity for trust and faith and peace beyond understanding. 

As we ended service this past Sunday my baby girl, the one headed to the other side of the planet to do a 6 month mission training through YWAM Ships, walked to the front of the room, asked to take the mic and began to declare that each of us has a purpose and a destiny. She encouraged us to continually remind ourselves of that truth every day that we are given.. We have a purpose and destiny. Yes, this mommy’s heart was exploding at her courage, strength, wisdom and bravery to get up and procalim those words over us. Only a few of us in the room knew that she spoke them with authority because those were the very words that God had spoken to her a couple of weeks before to shut up the lies the devil had been telling her. You go baby girl!!! Preach!!

The devil will always lie to us and make us doubt that our God is good and that “it is good”. In those moments we have to refocus and look to the One who always speaks truth over us. Whose creation, plans, purposes and destinies are good. Even if we have to read Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes ALL THINGS to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them”, every day of our lives and put post-it notes all over the place!!! Do it! Just do it!  It is good. It is all good. 

When we doubt, when we question and when we wonder, look to the one who is continually working things out for our good and His glory. Look to Him for the peace that passes all understanding. Look to Him for truth. 

Even this morning, I saw my baby girl walking away from me in the airport headed into the security area without me. Alone. And I began to panic and I began to think all sorts of things, “Oh God, she’s never flown by herself! Oh man, I wonder if I can get off work? I could just go over with her!” But then I felt God say, “look again”. And I did. And then I saw more. I saw Jesus walking with her, holding her hand. They were both walking toward the security area, together, hand in hand. “Oh thank you Jesus!”

Yes, it will still be hard and I will probably cry, a lot. But I have seen with my own eyes, His hand in hers walking together. I have heard with my own ears, “It is good”. And I, I will choose to believe He is with her every step of the way and “it is good”.

To God be the glory!!!

May you be blessed today in the good good things of our good good God,

Lenee