"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 Sometimes I wonder why God won't give me more info on the plans He has for me. Frequently, we are faced with a myriad of choices and sometimes these choices are good. As Christians, though, our underlying question is usually, "Is this God's will for my life?" On the other hand, we imprison ourselves by focusing on this question instead of the Person who has the answer. We become encumbered and consumed with doing the right thing, rather than just flowing in the Spirit of God. If we keep in mind that God's ways are not our ways, then we let God out of the box to be God and the mystery begins. The excitement we get from putting the pieces of our life's puzzle together is simply exhilarating when we let God lead us into the unknown. Our life is simply miraculous when we have God reign in every aspect of our being and we are transformed more and more into His image. This comes from spending time with Him which deepens our intimacy. When this happens, I become His will. The question then is more profound it is no longer just, "Is this God's will for my life?", but it is "Am I God's will?"
But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. Romans 2:3-5
When I think of how fallible I am, I get an overwhelming sense of awe because of how kind God has been to me, in spite of all my faults. God has been so kind, so tolerant and so patient with me, even when I wasn't kind, tolerant or patient with myself. This is God's grace. I need to constantly check myself to make sure I am as gracious with others as God has been with me, keeping in mind all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This doesn't mean I don't correct someone who I believe is not following Biblical principles. Indeed, I must do this or else I will face God's wrath for the fall of a brother. Furthermore, it would be quite unkind for me to see someone sinking in a quagmire of sin without offering help. Yet, I must also comprehend how to assist as my sympathy can lead to a dependence on me and not on God. I need to be so connected with the Holy Spirit that I must see the manner in which He is working in another's life and make way for Him to do so, for He knows best. God is not kind, tolerant or patient with sin, but He is merciful to the sinner. As carriers of the Holy Spirit we are empowered to overcome evil and love our enemies. We have been given the eyes of Jesus through the Holy Spirit to see from His perspective. Now look, what do you see? Are you seeing God's Kindness working through your life to lead others to repentance?
