I feel transition in the air. The presidential election is approaching. We held a retirement celebration for my boss a few days ago. Friends are making firm career decisions.
And for the first time in a long time, I feel as though I'm just here... floating along. Nothing new or exciting has captured me. I haven't embarked on a new adventure or tackled a new problem. Same 'ole, same 'ole And with every note of new news from a friend or colleague, I'm tempted to compare. Maybe if I had followed that academic track, joined that sorority, invested in that business, moved to that city, then maybe... just maybe... I would be experiencing the same upgrades, promotions, and advancements as that friend, sibling, or co-worker.
Why would a Good Father withhold good things from me? The truth is He wouldn't. He doesn't.
Psalm 84:11 (AMP) reads, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord bestows grace and favor and honor; No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly."
Jesus said that if we took hold of the Word, then it would set us free. I don't want to be hooked by this creepy crawler called comparison. By faith, I will accept the truth that he will not withhold good things from me as I pursue him.
Unfortunately, I remain so invested in my career and my independence. A few months ago, the Lord asked me to let the weight of performance, achievement, and expectation fall away. My mind tells me that if I haven't received the same upgrades as everyone else then I haven't performed well enough to achieve upgrades aligned with my (self-motivated) expectations. And don't even get me started on where my mind goes when contemplating the expectations that family and friends have for me.
So what now? God whispered that I am exactly where he wants me to be... floating along. In this place without knowledge of where to go next, I have no choice but to encounter God. I sat in church last week and cried my eyes out singing "Good Good Father". He wants me to sit here and learn more about his upright nature and kind intentions.
The promotions and advancements I'm due for in this season are not earthly. I can't even make it through a work day without feeling several tugs from God. He's shifting my perspective on relationships, money, purpose, and most importantly what it means to be loved by Him. I'm receiving an upgraded mindset, one large enough to contain and wisely steward the joy, energy, health, and love he intends to pour out. That's certainly not consistent with a stingy God. He is a Good Good Father.
