What is God's plan, really?
The boys and I just returned from Palm Springs. It was fun to have everyone out, and it was fun when everyone left and we got a couple of days to ourselves. (Here's a picture of the boys in the families, and one of me and my nephew. I hope to have hair like his in a year or two. And yes, I know I've gotten skinny, but I can still hit a golf ball farther than anyone reading this.)Best of all, I got to spend some quiet time with the Lord to recharge. I did a lot of thinking as I sat on our balcony watching the sun rise and shine its brilliance on the mountain in front of me.......thinking mostly about this thing we call "God's plan" for our lives.
Job is one of my favorite books in the Bible primarily for the source of strength and wisdom it has become. It sheds light on so many things, not the least of which is dealing with loss. I read nearly the entire book two mornings ago. I'd read it many times before, but for some reason that morning it dawned on me that this idea we have of "God's plan" is all wrong.
We've made it out to be about prosperity or success. As of today, I believe it's only about God's desire for us to be more like Jesus. Our every experience is aimed at shaping us; everything we do (and don't do) he uses for that purpose alone. Why? Because he loves us so much.
The "plan" is not about what. It's about who and how. It's about me learning -- through the loss of my wife -- how I can be a better man, father, husband (if that's what he wants for me), and follower of Christ for the rest of my days. He didn't want me to lose Jeseca to bring me heartache. He wants me to grow in my love for him, and to learn from this experience so I can bring more glory and honor to him today and tomorrow.
I've been listening to Krystal Meyers' debut album. There's a song titled "My Savior" that speaks about the amazing love he gives; one that consumes me. It ends with the words, "...I'm amazed to call you mine." That's exactly how I feel. I'm amazed at his love for me, and I am proud to call him my Savior. He is so good to me.
Is there a point? I guess it's that life is a love story. At least that's the part of the "plan" that I'm really starting to understand. And I'm so glad I'm on the receiving end of that love, because the Giver is remarkable.
posted by Jon Graves at 2:21 PM
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