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Pastor’s column
Published 12:00pm Friday, November 21, 2008What does God want?
Most of us have at one time or another asked this question, “What do you give to someone who has everything?” Do you know somebody who really has everything? I do — God.
The Bible says in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.”
So what could God possibly want? He tells us in Psalm 50:14 and 23, “What I want is your true thanks to God; but giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.”
The Bible also says in 1Thessalonians 5:18: “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
How is it possible to live each day with a grateful heart when from time to time we are faced with death, disease, disasters, dumb government, disobedient children, delirious spouses, and long, drawn-out grocery lines?
We must believe that God is sovereign and God is good. That he only allows into our lives what he could by his power prevent. So if he didn’t prevent it then somehow, someway, it was good for us.
So what is God up to? Romans 8:29 in the Message translation, gives us a clue. “He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his son.”
God wants us to grow up and be shaped into the character of his son Jesus. Everyday life is the shaping tool. How cool is that?
Imagine living in a world full of grateful people; People living relaxed, peaceful lives and trusting that God would work things out for good, just like Jesus did.
God also says in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you, they are for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
When life hits us below the belt we can respond with, “God I don’t understand why this happened. I don’t much like it. I could despair and get angry, but I know you’re up to something and it is going to be good. So I am going to trust you and thank you for allowing this into my life.”
Imagine the eyebrows that would be raised as people watch you live a life that totally trusts God. Imagine the peace that would come into your life. Imagine how honoring that would be to God.
Happy Thanksgiving!
