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I [Melanie] owe you guys a life update post, big time. I hope it will be forthcoming soon. But this is not that post. I will simply tell you in passing that I’m having a great time up here, and leave it at that. This is a reflections post.
First, the trigger for these reflections.
There’s a possibility of something happening which I think would be totally awesome. If it happens, it will be a gift from God, and a rather amazing one. A number of things had to come together to make this a possibility, and, oh, man, I think I would love it.
So I started to get very excited about it. But you see, it’s not at all certain yet. So I tried to rein in my excitement. I don’t want to be too horribly disappointed if it doesn’t happen, you see.
Thinking about this, I posted on Facebook, “How excited dare one become over something which is only a doubtful possibility?” One of my friends jokingly posted, “Deliriously.” Then one of my cousins posted, “Get as excited as you’re willing to be disappointed.” A thoughtful post; I thought it was quite sensible.
Then I thought about it a little more.
It makes sense in theory, and it’s generally been true in my life, that the more excited I get about something, the more it hurts if it doesn’t come to pass. The more we psych ourselves up, the farther we have to fall down.
But does it have to be that way?
We serve a good God. A God who always gives amazing gifts. A God who knows what is best for us far more than we do. A God who loves to lavish upon us more than we could ask, think, or dream of.
When something amazing is a possibility – when something wonderful is floating tantalizingly on the horizon – we can know one thing for sure: If God does not give us that thing, He will give us something better still.
Oh, that doesn’t mean that at this moment, we think it looks better. Remember, He knows much better than we do what is better. For Corrie ten Boom, that better thing was a concentration camp. For Boethius, it was torture and execution. For Jesus Himself, it was death on a cross. In this world we will have trouble. We will face trials of various kinds.
What it does mean is that if we continue to walk closely with Him, we will begin to understand that what we receive is better than what we imagined. We will begin to find joy in everything. We will begin to wholeheartedly be able to say, “Consider it pure joy, brothers, when you face trials of various kinds,” and to affirm with Boethius that all fortune is good. What it does mean is that God will work all things together for a good which fulfills all our deepest longings. And what it does mean is that no hurt is without a purpose.
And He doesn’t always give trials. Sometimes He gives gifts even our fleshly selves delight to call good. Most of the time, I would say. Sun, moon, and stars. Delicious meals. Family. We are surrounded by wonderful gifts from the Creator. For He loves to give us good things.
Given this, when I am excited about something good, why should I be disappointed if it does not come to pass? For that means that God is giving me something better still.
God give me the faith to get deliriously excited over slim possibilities and never to be disappointed. And God give me the wisdom to recognize what is truly Good, the better to rejoice in what I am given.
Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord,
Still I will say,
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord,
Still I will say,
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
