His Goodness Is Running After ME!
God’s goodness, kindness, and mercy have been running after me, as the song says, for as long as I can remember. I’ve been blessed so substantially, both spiritually and also in the key relationships and circumstances of my life, that I’d be cautious in sharing them all. In many ways, I live in the midst of an embarrassment of riches regarding God’s good providence toward my family and me.
Last week, our ministry leadership team got away for a leadership retreat. Every year, it’s a great time of planning, prayer, connection, and fun. This one was no different. We played a game where everyone offered a funny description of a funny ChatGPT enhanced picture of everyone else. Hilarity ensued. (Hat tip to the Vanderbecks who did a great job with that one!) In the wrong hands, that could be a dangerous game, but with such stalwart, mature Christian leaders as New Life Gahanna’s MLT plus Pastor Claude and I, we did OK. LOTS of laughs, no feelings hurt, and all was well.
One of the offerings for my funny picture stuck with me. It was something like, “life stinks, God is good, etc etc etc.” It was just a silly description offered in fun. But I’m aware of a challenge in my character, a chink in my armor: At times, I’m too downcast and pessimistic. If you’re around me a bunch it’s something you’d likely notice. And it’s something I haven’t really gone to war with in my soul, but probably need to. I mean, who really needs to be the “life stinks, God is good, etc etc etc.” guy? Not me! So, a joke offered in fun has stuck with me through the week, and I’ve been chewing on it. Maybe that’s happened to you somewhere down the line too.
So, I decided I’d write this enews from the sunny side of my soul and set it to music. (I’m a musical guy, what can I say.) Here are fourteen reasons to be joyful in Jesus today and every day, with a song link for each one. Maybe you can think about it, sing about it, and be happy about it along with me. Because we should!
The goodness, kindness, and mercy of God…
Are shown to us:
- Most centrally in the cross.
Are the reason:
- God gave His Son to save sinners, “of whom I am the foremost!” - 1 Timothy 1:15.
- We’re adopted into His family.
- We’re included in the redemption and justification of sinners through all that Christ has done.
- We’re totally, genuinely forgiven of sin and completely delivered from our shame.
Lead us into:
- The life of the Holy Spirit, who indwells and empowers us.
- The experience of the unfailing faithfulness of God, with new mercies every morning.
- The experience of His redemption in our hardships and suffering.
- Participating in the Great Commission and the reconciliation of others to Himself.
- His provision and sovereign care in all circumstances.
And finally:
Provide patience in His dealings with us and with the lost, bringing us to repentance.
Will bring us into eternal life with Him.