All Makes Perfect

All Makes Perfect

Hebrews 11: ³⁹ What a record all of these have won by their faith! Yet they did not receive what God had promised, ⁴⁰ because God had decided on an even better plan for us. His purpose was that only in company with us would they be made perfect.

 

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“I finished” I said proudly as I watched other people struggling. The task was easy to “me” and I felt good about “myself.” “Why don’t you help other people finish?” was the suggestion said to me that was strange.

 

• I wanted to be noticed for finishing first.
• I was competing instead of relating.
• I had no sympathy for those who were “losing” even though it was not a competition.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, got excited over the mention of this great list of people who expressed faith in many marvelous ways. He then says that what they did was only a small piece of the entire picture.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seems to need a story from my life to be part of HIS great and marvelous plan.
• GOD links my story to other people so we all can live together in a better place.
• GOD’s better plan includes all of our stories, not just the ones we read about.

 

Wanting to be noticed as special makes me compete. I mean, I may work extra hard, or wear something unique, or tell people where I have been so I can be affirmed by society. Then, when I see what someone else has done, I race to do more or to be different. BUT GOD made me unique, so I don’t have to try.

 

When GOD looks at me, HE sees a part of a bigger picture. HE wants all humans to be saved and feels one person is just as precious as another. The person I get mad at, is loved dearly by GOD. HE wants all of us to be saved. I am glad HIS plan includes me and you.

 

Challenge

• What is the “better plan” that the writer mentions?
• Have you ever competed with someone for affiliation, affection, or affirmation?
• Will you seek to be a link in GOD’s plan and join others in bringing people to HIM so HE can have the complete picture HE is looking for today?

HE is WHO HE IS

Isaiah 44: ⁶ “This is what the Lord says—
    Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;
    apart from me there is no God.
⁷ Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it.
    Let him declare and lay out before me
what has happened since I established my ancient people,
    and what is yet to come—
    yes, let them foretell what will come.
⁸ Do not tremble, do not be afraid.
    Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?
You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?
    No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

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Pondering about the concept of GOD made me ask questions. “If GOD is real, why doesn’t HE just heal everybody?” I then decided this “GOD” thing isn’t enough for me. There has to be more. I mean I read parts of a self-help book and it said “I” should draw from my strengths.” I liked that because it put me in control. I soon started depending on “me” and got deeper into my mess. “I wonder if I should try GOD again” I thought to myself.

• There were times when I thought there has to be more than GOD.
• There were times when I thought GOD’s word was not enough.
• There were times when I thought GOD seems to not love me because I am in another mess.

Looking back on my relationship with GOD, I can see that I was the one who left HIM, not the other way around. During the time when I stopped praying and worshipping, I felt pretty good for a moment. I could do as I pleased and live as wild as I wanted to. But when problems happened, and boy did they happen, I had no place to turn. Should I rely on myself? No!

• GOD said to me “I AM the first and I AM the last; apart from me there is no GOD.”
• GOD said to me “Do not tremble; do not be afraid for I AM with you.”
• GOD said to me “You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

GOD is my Rock and my salvation, whom shall I fear? After coming to my senses I soon realized I just wanted “my” way. I mean all those rules and not sinning didn’t seem “fun.” BUT GOD held onto me anyway. HE watched over me in spite of me and gently nudged me back to HIM. I am very glad to be in HIS arms. HE is the one and ONLY true GOD!

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Do you feel you need to add something to what HE said about life?
• Can you stop fighting GOD and let HIM work in your life?
• Will you turn your life over to HIM fully and watch HIS power unfold?

Little g or Big G

Isaiah 6: In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. ³ And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
    the whole earth is full of his glory.”

⁴ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

⁵ “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

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Looking at the pile of bills made me feel discouraged. My car was broken down, rent was due, creditors were calling and I was not making enough to pay any of them. Where is GOD when I need HIM, I thought. I went back to my ways of trying to fix all the broken stuff in my life. I asked for extra shifts, but since I was a student, I was not allowed. What was I to do?

• There are times when it seems like GOD does not care.
• There are times when it seems like GOD has left me by myself.
• There are times when it seems like GOD doesn’t have the power HE says HE has.

“Why am I so poor if GOD has so much power?” I thought to myself. I mean, look at the rich people who don’t seem to serve GOD at all, who treat people with contempt. Then I told GOD that I had tried going to church, but it didn’t work. I got another bill and no miracle money appeared in my account, so I stopped going. I was looking at GOD as a small being who only solves problems. BUT GOD wanted me to see different.

• GOD wants me to see HIM as THE MOST HIGH.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as ALL POWERFUL.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as THE ULTIMATE FORGIVER.

Having the wrong view of GOD made me think of HIM as a banker or philanthropist. I only saw what I could get from HIM, not what purpose HE had me on this earth for. I pouted and doubted but GOD was merciful. HE had me work day to day, only focusing on the blessings of that day. HE gave me the strength to carry on and eventually I began to serve HIM no matter what.

GOD blessed many and I could then see that HE has me here for more than wealth. GOD wants me to serve HIM and be wealthy in HIS kingdom. I no longer see “god” as my servant but I see “GOD” as needing to be served.

• Are you losing your faint in GOD because of your circumstances?
• Do you think GOD has left you?
• Will you stop focusing on your situation and start focusing on who GOD is and how powerful HE is?
• Can you lift HIM back to the place above your circumstances rather than getting discouraged?