A Wacky-good God

A Wacky-Good God

God is good. I’ve said that—and believed it—nearly all my life, but for a long time “God is good” meant he gave me just what I wanted or he gave me even more than I expected or believed I deserved. Now “God is good” means something different to me. It means his intent toward me is good, always. It means his best gift to me—Jesus—will never be topped. Ever. And it means his mercy never fails.

A short time ago, after a season of struggle on several fronts, he gave me resolution. Answers. Peace. And he didn’t exactly answer my prayers. He answered the prayers of others—because fear and weariness and uncertainty mostly sabotaged mine. I could barely ask on my own. The elders of my church prayed. Loved ones prayed. Near and faraway friends prayed. And I took comfort in every single plea made on my behalf. They were as precious to me as a truckload of riches.

Written and hummed and whispered and silent, boldly stated and breathed in secret, they fell before the throne of a very good God, and he lovingly brought me through. A little roughed up by the ride, perhaps, but more sure of him than ever. A note from one friend made me laugh and cry in the space of a paragraph. Here is what it said, and it couldn’t be any more true.

Why, oh why, is our sweet Father so challenging in how he helps us grow in faith? Why do things have to seem so scary for us to grow? I am wondering, can you have strong faith without these hard challenges? I don’t know. Can we know the love and provision of God if our lives are easy? I bet you can’t. My, my, my what a wacky-good God he is.

He is indeed “wacky-good.” (And I don’t believe we should be offended by that phrase at all.) Whether the news is good or bad or the ship comes in or doesn’t; whether what’s lost is found or what’s found is lost; whether desire is fulfilled or denied; whether in this life or the next (and it’s closer than we think), my God is good, so good to me.

I will make all my goodness pass before you. . . . I will show mercy to anyone I choose.

Exodus 33:19