Just One Good Day

I remember thinking to myself, "Just one day. I just want one good day. No eye rolls or sucking teeth. No emails chewing me out for something someone else did. Just a simple, go to work, come home, get to bed on time kind of day." I was sure those days existed. I was almost positive my neighbors got more than their share; I was only asking for one. Life can be tough. And it seems particularly tough on God's own people. We've all been there: the final car payment clears and the washing machine walks off the job; you recover from pneumonia and your child gets a concussion playing ball; a week later, you're laid off. It seems never to stop. And you begin to wonder if God is paying attention, or if He is really who He says He is. How many fathers torment their children this way? Oh, you may not wonder it aloud, you may not even admit to yourself that you think it; but, somewhere, deep down, in those moments of fear and fatigue and frustration, you think how much easier life would be if you were "free." Life might be a bit less messy if so much wasn't expected of me. What if you could just "do you" like the rest of the world recommends? What if you could sit on the curb with every other down-n-outer, complaining and loathing fate, expecting nothing and, thereby removing all disappointment from your life? What if you didn't have to do everything to the glory of God? What if you could remain ignorant of sin or remain as a baby in your walk with Jesus? What is with the constant grooming, challenging, sharpening of iron, learning and discipline that is part and parcel of being a Christian?

Let me assure you, it is entirely God's fault. I have heard spiritual advisors talk about the "fallen world" in which we live -- and we do. "Well, sin entered the world, and with sin, a curse for all of creation. Genesis 3, clearly says Satan will harass us; we will have sorrow and pain; our relationships will be broken; we will work and sweat and strain and die. This world is fallen." And all of that is true, but the explanation can't stop there! If God is infinitely powerful, if God is sovereign over all, if God is eternal and unchanging, if God loves His people with an everlasting love, why isn't He doing something about this? In John 16:33, Jesus warns us we will have trouble in this world, but He has overcome this world. If you had a friend who was having a ridiculously tough time of it, and you had the means to bail them out, wouldn't you do all you could to remove them from the situation, or remove the situation from them? Jesus considers our relationship with Him to be one of friendship. So where is our Friend when we've had just about all we can take of this fallen world, its drama and pitfalls, demands and imperfections?

Getting back to God's culpability, He is 100%, without a doubt, irrefutably, precisely who His Word says He is. Yes, the world is fallen, yes, Satan is always looking to destroy our faith and claim lives for his glory, but in order for it to come to fruition, God must allow it. Let me say that again: God must allow it. All created beings -- and Satan is one -- answer to God. The only uncreated being is God Himself. Every narwhal, each Law of Thermodynamics, every cell, every whim is under the absolute authority of the Almighty God. Nothing escapes His permission or attention. All of creation is free to make choices which do not align with His character or His will for us, yet He allows this. While the last thing He wants, with regard to His immediate will, is for our children to be ill, or our church leaders to conduct themselves sinfully, or our jobs to be phased out, or global pandemic, or immorality and murder to be legalized within our nation, He sometimes allows it. Why? What kind of Friend is that? The kind of Friend who has the power to use what we believe is useless, and move that which we consider immoveable. He is the kind of Friend who sees the beginning from the end, and has an immense and glorious plan to redeem every tear we shed. He is the Friend who has all knowledge about all things, including who we will one day be as we stand in His presence, fully sanctified. And He is the Friend who loves us more than any other ever could. 

Let me leave you with this analogy. Your spouse is extremely ill and is awaiting surgery. The doctor tells you both, under no circumstances should you or your spouse risk exposure to any communicable diseases; it's best you both remain at home until after the surgery and recovery. Your spouse has heard a famous artist is coming to the local coffee house days before surgery. It will be mobbed with people, but this artist is, far and away, you and your spouse's favorite. You dream how wonderful it would be if you both could attend. "Just head on over there and grab an autograph," your spouse begs. "I'm not even asking you take me; just do this one thing. You know you want to." And you do want it. For yourself. For your spouse. But, you know the facts, you know the risks, you value your spouse's life greatly. While refusal might make the home scene a little rough for a bit, refusal will not jeopardize your spouse's well-being. Compliance might ease tension and make things appear to run smoothly, but compliance will do both of you the greatest disservice anyone could ever do. Are you the friend who acquiesces to the immediate appeal for satisfaction, or are you the friend who thinks long term? If you want the best for your spouse, if you want your spouse to live in optimal health, you will not give in to what is easiest, or most popular, or most appealing. You will be the friend who stays by your spouse even when your spouse is displeased with the situation, even when your spouse cannot appreciate you or your choices. You will not allow just one good day at the expense of sharing many of your best days together in the future.