Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose
Philippians 2:13: For it is God who works in you to will and act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
One saying that’s just been über applicable to me over
the past months or so is this: in everything, God is always working for my
better. A family member is dealing with some health complications? for the better. I’m missing out on
something I’d like to have because it’s not God’s will for me right now? for the better. I’m too busy for a
relationship right now? for the better.
I’m single right now? for the better.
I have a minimum wage paying job? for the
better. I met a new friend? for the
better. I’m being pushed beyond my
comfort zone? for the better. I’m
plugging into new volunteer opportunities? for
the better. In any possible situation in which I have even a slight hint of
discontentment or discouragement or frustration or confusion or joy or
apprehension or surprise or happiness or excitement or anything – it is always “for
the better”.
There is always a “for the better”, even if I can’t see it.
I've been continuing to mediate
on Galatians 6:7-10:
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
I will always reap what I sow. How I react and how I
learn and grow and connect in this season of my life will affect my harvest in
other seasons. He is shaping me now
so I can be a bitter fit for how he wants me to serve His kingdom then. God’s “for the better” is just a
harvest away.
Malachi 3:10: Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Recently, I feel like God’s been challenging me a lot
like how He was challenging Israel in Malachi. While I’ve definitely grown in contentment
with the current season I’m in and can say with a sincere heart that it is well
with my soul to be in it, there are definitely days where I find myself thinking
“okay, so I’m really not feeling this whole single thing” and that’s okay. Test me in this. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that my God is a
God of abundance. He just requires that I give him all the enthusiasm and
contentment that I can muster. If I can only offer a little bit of enthusiasm, He
multiples my little bit of enthusiasm into enough. And when I don’t give Him
everything ounce of what I can offer, I squash the opportunity for the
miraculous to happen. When the posture of my heart is expectant contentment, it
allows me to live as a steward and a servant; and I want nothing more than to
be a steward of His blessing in every season I’m in. So leaning into His test me in this during this season.
Because, as it’s getting easier in certain aspects to abide and remain content
in singleness hitting the nine months mark of my journey, it’s also getting a
bit more challenging in aspects.
But despite those new challenging aspects, God’s saying test me in this, let me prove to you and tangibly
illustrate just how much better my plans and my timing are for you as compared
to your own. And that’s what I’m doing. I've hit the point where I finally
feel like, despite the new challenges, I am in a complete posture of surrender
and openness towards whatever He wants to bless and gift me with. And I can’t
think of words that will accurately describe that feeling, so I’ll just leave
it at this: it is just a really cool thing to experience and God is just so
great to me when I am so undeserving.
So all this is to say, I don’t know what you’re
struggling with or what you’re being challenged with or how you’re growing this
November. All I know is this: in
everything that happens, there is a “for the better” – even if you can’t see it
right now. Lean into the current season you’re in knowing that God
is working “for the better” through it. Leaning on Jesus in whatever you’re
going through helps you build the character you need for the future. Test him in this. Be encouraged that you
are in His will for you, and have faith that your intentional sowing during
this season you’re experiencing will always reap His “for the better”.
