Metamorphosis

Faith is the only thing that gives God his proper place; and, as a consequence, is the only thing that lifts the soul completely above the influence of surrounding circumstances, be they what they may. (C. H. Mackintosh)

I have spent too much time trying to "figure out" my circumstances - both what is happening and how I should be responding to it. I am frustrated at how little I can understand, and I feel, somehow, that God should be explaining it to me, if he is not going to fix it. I am wrong. I need to begin my "figuring" with God. I have denied him the place he deserves - the One who created me, and suffered for me, and cares for me still.

He is Good.
I make my students give evidence for every statement they make. So here it is. Evidence:

When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:33-34)

He loves me.
Evidence:

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1John 4:10)

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (1John 4:16)

He is all-powerful.
Evidence:

It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.  (Jeremiah 10:12)

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

So, then, God is powerful enough to give me good, and he loves me, so he desires to give me good, and he is good, so good is what he gives. What else is there to say? I may bow myself to him, or not.

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1Peter 4:19)

I will, Father. Draw my eyes from my pitiful little situation, and let them be fixed on you. You are Good. You love me. You are able to do what needs to be done. What you do will be good. For me. Whatever it is. Let me wait for you, not as a dog at the door, but as a friend waits for a trusted friend.