The boundless love and goodness of God

Have you ever found yourself wide awake in the middle of the night with thoughts that just seem to tumble around in your head? I found myself in that situation about 3 a.m. one morning a few weeks ago. My mind seemed to be taking inventory of the events of the past year. The past year's challenges occupied most of my thoughts. The transition from a full-time student in Los Angeles California to a full-time pastor in Seeley Lake, Montana. The change in location was a blessing to me but becoming the pastor of a church that had not had a pastor in a few years required much prayer and patience to not push things too fast.

The quest to know God's will and timing for the church God put me to shepherd dominated my thoughts. I also was missing my 10 grandchildren. Beyond these personal concerns, there was the COVID-19 pandemic, total turmoil in our country, economic uncertainty, acts of senseless violence around this nation and the world and then a total hip replacement surgery.

Considering such grim realities might have filled me with dread about the coming year. But as I continued to contemplate the events of 2020, I experienced deep and unexpected surges of gratitude, joy and even an anticipation for what lies ahead. What has led to my changed perspective?

Much of the answer lies in a simple practice I adopted after reading and meditating on Psalm 34:8; "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him."

Before my daily Bible reading, I would repeat the statement, "God's goodness is great and boundless all the time" several times. Then pray, "Lord, let me taste Your goodness."

Affirming God's love and goodness did not come naturally at first, as I tended to focus on the challenges God allowed in my life. I began to look for ways God might be extending the same love and goodness to me each day. Sometimes I saw Him supply specific, tangible needs. Other times, His goodness was more subtle: a reassurance of His presence and love, an invitation to tap into the unlimited grace He offered, or a timely reminder that He was working even all situations out for my good.

I have come to know that the boundless love and goodness of God can be one of the most challenging, yet transforming, truths for us to believe. When we determinedly believe in God's love and goodness, we no longer fear His will but willingly submit to it, even when it is not what we consider good.

So, as I look to the rest of 2020, I'm declaring with deepened conviction, "God's love and goodness is boundless." And I'm praying with even more anticipation, "Let me taste more of Your boundless goodness."

Whatever life brings your way, I pray that you, too, will experience and become more convinced of God's unbelievable love and boundless goodness for you.