There is an utterance that most of us are familiar with. It is one that is always appropriate, though often unappreciated. It is said in the midst of celebrations and tragedies alike, and whether it is always meant sincerely, well, none of us can know. It is said by teachers, preachers, mothers, fathers, siblings, and strangers. It seems to roll off the tongue while simultaneously leaving you gasping for air. It is everything true wrapped up in three words: God is good.
God is good. God is good. God. Is. Good.
Don’t just read it. Really pay attention to those words. Feel them sink into your skin, like UV rays on the beach, like the warmth of your favorite sweater. Do you find yourself wondering why those words feel so… complete? Why those three little words feel like they could encompass everything you know?
Well, honestly, that’s what those words were originally meant to do. They were not meant to be words used casually, insincerely, or jokingly. Those words, those three words, were meant to settle a weary soul, to bring you to the surface of the raging waves, to save you from something that is not always good: this life.
You see, this life is as far from constant as it gets. Many have said, "The only thing constant in life is change" and oh, boy, were they right. This life seems to be in a constant cycle of ebb and flow:
You get the job you wanted, then your boyfriend breaks up with you.
You finally find some people you click with, then you flunk your history class.
You find the best caramel macchiato in town, then your cat dies.
But in all seriousness, what do you do if it's worse than that?
What if you win a seat in student government, but then you're raped by one of your friends?
What if you fall in love, but your mental illness drives you closer and closer to suicide?
What if you devote every day to helping and serving people who really need you, but then you lose your child?
What if the ebb and flow of this life is so great, so drastic, that you can't stay above the waves? What do you do then?
You reach out for the only thing constant, the only thing that stands above the waves, tall and strong, never moving, never changing. You reach for the only thing fair, the only thing true, the only thing good.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you." Isaiah 43:2
See, the thing about God's goodness is that it never ends. The goodness of God is not dependent on me or you or Sue or Shirley. When this life is tossing you about, all you have to do is reach out for God, and his goodness, his love, will save you.
So, when the waters get high and the sailing gets tough, let God steer the ship.
