Life With God
C.S. Lewis wrote, “Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties.” This truth about life with God annihilates illusions of trouble free living. This truth destroys the deception that God exists to exempt us from all trouble, heartache and pain. There is no utopian existence in this world. There is no life without the troubles that are common to all. God has never promised life down here free of sadness, sickness, disappointment or pain.
So what’s the use or value of having life with God if He does not protect you from all evil? Well, for starters, it helps to expand your view of God. Your view is to narrow if you only see God as Somebody for you to use and to meet your approval and expectations. God does not exist to serve you. Get it right. We exist to serve Him. God does not answer to us. We must answer to Him. God is not an errand boy, social worker, or hired bodyguard. He is Supreme. He is Sovereign. He reigns over the entire universe. Men and women who rage and point their boney fingers up at God and talk a lot of noise have about as much effect on Him as a single tiny enraged ant has on you under the shadow of your already raised army boots, which will suddenly come down upon it, not only silencing its voice but destroying its very existence. He is God and not just the guy who lives next door. We worship God, first and foremost, not because of what He can do, but rather for Who He is.
Life with God teaches you what real peace looks like. Real peace is never merely the absence of trouble. Real peace is being undisturbed in the midst of disturbance. Real peace is remaining at rest while all about you is at war. The peace I speak of will keep you calm while someone else is raging and ranting. This peace keeps you together while others are unraveling quicker than a ball of yawn down a flight of stairs. This peace is so poised that it upsets the peace carts of others.
Life with God teaches us that there is a peace that goes beyond understanding. It’s a peace that so few ever experience.
Few experience this peace in the midst of problems because of only knowing, hearing and experiencing the superficial, kindergarten, baby peace that’s present only in the absence of war, problems, debt, sickness and storms. We abort our life with God because of our limited knowledge and experience of an all-wise God. God has a plan.
He never promised smooth sailing, only a safe landing. Peace.