You have no idea just how amazing life can become when you live the life God has always wanted for you. He desires to give you abundance and peace, healing and mercy, and he wants his goodness to follow you all the days of your life… even the worst ones.
Psalm 23:1-6 NRSV
[1] The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; [3] he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. [4] Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff- they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.
A Good (But Wrong) Question:
What kind of life do you want?
Our common answers have to do with having plenty of money, plenty of freedom, and plenty of friends, fame, and fortune. But it’s really a flawed question because, no matter what you collect in this life, it will never be completely fulfilling in and of itself.
It’s impossible to consume enough to be happy.
A Much Better Question:
What kind of life do you believe God wants for you?
If I’m really honest, there are seasons when I don’t love God the way I should.
When I don’t love myself the way I should (and it’s evidenced by a lack of self-care).
And when I don’t love other people the way I should (evidenced by unhealthy conflict).
But I’ve also learned that the answer is not what you and I typically think the answer is.
It isn’t about trying harder to love better.
It’s about getting better at receiving love from God and others.
Because again, if I’m really honest, I have a hard time talking about receiving love.
I have a hard time describing how God sees me in a positive light.
How I normally answer the question,
what kind of life do I believe God wants for me?
Our typical answer looks something like this…
- God wants me to behave.
- God wants me to believe in him.
- God wants me to be good to other people.
- God wants me to serve him.
- God has a long list of do’s and don’ts – a bunch of rules I can’t seem to follow.
- God doesn’t really care if I enjoy life or not.
- I believe (and I’m supposed to say) that God loves me.
- But I’m not sure he actually likes
The Days of the Life of King David
David had been chosen early in life but had to go through a lot to get to his position as king. It took years for him to ascend to the throne of leadership of the whole nation of Israel. And much blood was shed in the process.
David also knew failure quite well. He had committed adultery. He had conspired to have a man murdered, covered it up, then lied to the nation about it.
His hands were dirty, bloody, and calloused.
The life God wants for you, is always better than the life you want for you, and it’s always better than you could imagine.
- God wants to bless you with plenty. With abundance. With more than enough.
- God wants to bless you with peace. With security. With confidence.
- God wants to heal and care for you.
- God wants to know you closely and have communion and fellowship with you.
- God wants your life to be marked by his goodness and mercy.
ALL the days of it… Even the very worst.