Not here, not now

Donald Miller makes a good point toward the end of his book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.

Growing up in church, we were taught that Jesus was the answer to all our problems…I think Jesus can make things better, but I don’t think he is going to make things perfect. Not here, and not now.

It’s true. At least for me, I know I’ve always thought (maybe subconsciously or maybe not) that things should be a little better for Christians. After all, we’re the “good guys,” right? We’re on God’s team! Certainly, things should be good. And besides “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” (Romans 8:28) That’s me. I love God. So, my life should be good, right?

Naive. Gullible. Stupid. You can call it all you want. But, for me to get that expectation out of that (or any other similar) verse is silly. Miller’s closing statement above is correct, though. There’s really nothing in the Bible that says things will ever be perfect…not here, anyway.

And, that’s what makes this all so exciting. It’s looking forward to the hope that is in heaven. It’s the idea that there is something more, something better, waiting for me in the end. And, then connecting that thought with what I do TODAY is where the rubber meets the road. TODAY and TOMORROW and the NEXT DAY and the day after that…how I respond to the circumstances I’m put into, what I do when things don’t go my way…that makes a difference in my story.

I can get frustrated and upset, mad at the world or mad at God, whatever. But, then my story takes a wrong turn.The example that my story presents becomes a BAD example, not a good one. Instead, I need to understand that even the seemingly “bad” things are all a part of my story. And, then, I have a chance to take that frustrating situation and see how it fits with everything else. I can use it to connect with someone else who has similar pain or see it as a challenge that will make me grow.

Ultimately, looking at EVERYTHING that happens in my life (the good and the bad) as a part of my story will make my story better. And, I’ll grow in the process. AND…I won’t be disappointed when bad things happen, as much as I’ll be excited to see how God will use that disappointment to create a better story!