Last night I lay awake until around 4:00 a.m. It was a night where God and I were in fellowship. Before we went to bed we watched a lot of great worship song videos. A song that has quickly become one of my all-time favorites is “Goodness of God”. We also watched and sang along with “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and “I Bowed on My Knees”, just to name a few. It seems my heart was stirred as a result of worshipping through videos.
Then in the quiet and dark of night, I couldn’t get “Goodness of God” to quit playing in my mind. As I would play back that song repeatedly in my mind, I began to recall the true goodness of God in my own life. Oh yes, I acknowledge it every day, but do I really ponder what it means in my life or take time to thank God for His goodness?
I began to think back to being a child and the hard things that God protected me from and brought me through. If you don’t know my story, I’m happy to share it with you. I can look back and see God’s goodness and watch care over me every step of the way. I can also say with certainty, that God works all things out for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28). That doesn’t mean that it has been easy or that it hasn’t hurt, a lot at times, but through everything I can see the goodness of God.
Then into my adult life I see things that will bring tears to my eyes at just how faithful God has been. Even in the darkest of days, through deaths of loved ones, a cancer journey and challenges that have been many, I can look back and reflect on the goodness of God. He has never once left me to myself. He has been there to hold me, to comfort me and give me a peace that can’t be explained.
This past 6 months or so I have seen the goodness of God in my family. There have been both challenges and blessings, sadness and joy. I have witnessed the goodness of God through some difficult days and circumstances. I have seen the blessings amid the pain.
Have you ever sent someone a gift and they never acknowledge that they received it? A simple text, note, call or something just to say thanks will let you know you are appreciated for thinking of them. Sometimes I wonder what God must think. I see all His goodness poured out upon me each day, but do I consistently say thank you or do I just take things for granted? Everything I have is a gift. The breath I breathe is a gift. My family is a gift. When I really take time to look around me, my gifts are many.
It is so easy to get discouraged and down in this world we live in. Sometimes work and busyness keep us from really seeing the goodness of God. We go to the store, turn on the news, pay the bills, deal with nonattentive drivers and people at work. There is so much frustration and negativity all around us, but if we stop and recognize all that God has done in our lives it will make us less likely to allow the day-to-day stresses to have such an impact on us. Focusing on God’s goodness in our lives will bring us to a point of thankfulness. Expressing our gratitude to the Lord is a key element in worship.
How long has it been since you really expressed your gratitude to God for His goodness? It is so easy to say a quick thank you at mealtime or bedtime, but God deserves so much more.
In my mind there is a difference in blessings of God and goodness of God. I feel that blessings are somewhat tangible. Everything I have is a result of blessings from God. However, I feel like the goodness of God comes from peace, joy, watch care, protection, provision and just knowing that God is nearby. He is kind, merciful and loving God and His goodness is everlasting.
I challenge you today to find 5 things where you can see the goodness of God. Begin to make it a daily challenge. Once you begin focusing on the goodness of God then your worship and time with the Lord will be so much more meaningful. Ask me how I know.
Fun fact: This picture was taken when my husband surprised me with a Cece Winans concert, where she did sing “Goodness of God”. What a glorious time of worship!