Let’s start with two statements, one from early in the June 11th ACF teaching, “God has a purpose for you!”, and a quote from Oswald Chambers near the end, “the good is always the enemy of the best”. I’d like to briefly consider how they are interdependent. The first is based on verses like Jer 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Prov 3:5-6; Matt 6:8-13; Rom 5:8; Eph 2:10; Phil 2:12-13; 1Tim 2:4; 2Pet 3:9 are a few more examples. God intends good toward all people, desiring an authentic relationship with each one, and going to great lengths to give us the opportunity to know Him in authentic relationship.
Is the “good” really the enemy of the “best”? Perhaps this is more likely than most of us may think. Does having something “good”, mean I will have the “best” life? Absolutely not! Consider that God led Abram to move away from his relatives (Gen 12:1-9). Abram apparently did some struggling, and took his time to make the move. When he leaves do you think he or all of his relatives are glad to see him leave? Highly unlikely! The family move which started in Gen 11:31-33, abruptly stopped for a number of years. The texts language indicates he may have heard the call and then waited for years before responding, choosing to be with relatives, but he does go.
When Abram arrives in this land of promise, (Gen 12:10-13), he reasoned the land God led him to, didn’t look so good, and quickly moved on to Egypt, which had more abundance or “good”. Before he arrives an arrangement with his wife is made to have her tell people she is his sister. Abram had chosen to go for God’s plan, found it didn’t look so good, determined to find something better, and agreed with his wife to hide his marriage to possibly save his life from lawless people that would kill him and take her away. It happened twice, and people took her away both times. Thankfully Abram and Sarai survive, although they put their marriage in jeopardy to do so. It is apparently good to save Abram’s life, but his desire to preserve himself has led him out of the land of promise and compromised his wife. That is not the “best”!
My daughter and family moved to Idaho a few years ago believing God was leading them. I came to accept it, and trust the Lord has led them, believing He is in it all. But, it took awhile to get there. I questioned it, didn’t like it, and hoped it wasn’t God’s plan. I miss them, but I sincerely believe they have done well there. I’d still like to have them nearby, but trust that God has led them there and is working His “best” plan in their lives, and ours.
As soon as we make what seems “good” more important than what God has said is His will for us, that “good” becomes the enemy of His plan for us, or the “best” (Psa 143:10). Isa 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” The path to inner peace, which I gladly equate with “the best”, runs directly through yielding our hearts and lives to God’s good plan and purpose for us. Let’s help each other find the courage and grace to go after God’s best for our lives, yielding deep peace to us, and a genuine witness to those around us.