Finding the Good

  "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14 has always been a favorite verse of mine. I'm sure I've referenced it on this blog before, and I'm sure many people hear this verse so much that they're almost immune to it--to them it's just another overused "God quote" to bring out when you don't know what else to say. But because of 2 Timothy 3:16 ("All scripture is inspired by God...") I believe that when God lays a verse on my heart, I am called to share it regardless of how many times it's been said before. Today when this sentence popped in my mind, it came with a whole new meaning, one that isn't so rosy and sweet. Normally I turn to this verse for confidence, for a reminder that no matter what I'm doing, I will always have a purpose. That meaning definitely still applies, and I know that I will come to it again when I need it most; however, right now I'm going to share with you something that might make you think a little deeper than, "I know I'm worth it."
   
     I'm going to let you in on a little secret (well, really, to those who know me, it won't be a surprise.) I don't know what it is, but the natural tendency of my heart is to believe that there is love and light and good in all people. I know, maybe you think I'm a little naive for believing this, but because of who I am and who God made me to be, I will always be searching for that good, whether it's there or not. So I'm sure you can imagine that every time I hear of something tragic happening like the shooting in Orlando, it cuts deep. It shakes me of my security in knowing that "I can find the good in this," because at the moment I just can't. I think of lives lost, and all I can see is potential being wasted, a possible source of good for the world being extinguished. I know that the loss of these people has shattered the world for so many more, and I mourn for these strangers because of things they won't experience with the ones who were senselessly taken from them. These were their brothers and sisters, their parents and their children, their neighbors and their friends. I pray for the souls of those who were killed, that they knew their need for a Savior and acted on that need, and my heart sinks at the realization that many of those people may have entered into an eternity of separation from Christ. And then I think of the shooter. Regardless of the motive, it was not brought about by "the good" in him, and it hurts my heart as I ponder the possibility that maybe there wasn't anything but evil in there at all. I can't help but think, "Why would God create that? Where's the 'fearfully and wonderfully made' in all of this?"
 
  It's a sobering thought, to know that death is always imminent and that to some it is inflicted by the unthinkable actions of another man. There is no joy in this, no hope for a fallen world. And this is what the world is on its own, created in perfection yet willingly tossed into despair. The tragedy in Orlando was not the first of its kind, and without the intervention of God it definitely won't be the last. But there is always something wonderful in the world, something not just "good" but infallibly holy. True integrity and virtue in the hearts of others is not automatically there, and try as I might, I will not always see it. But I know that when I do, it's this little spark of joy that reminds me of my destiny of an eternity with my amazing God. And as much as I crave it, if it were everywhere, it would not be nearly as valuable to me. So when I read Psalm 139:14, I do not take it out of context by saying that because of this we must all have good in our hearts. I remember that this was a personal declaration of the psalmist David, and for it to be real in our lives it must be personal to us, too. It is a statement of faith in the Father, "your works are wonderful, I know that full well," and an acknowledgment that because of Him and Him alone, we really are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Just like we choose to sin, we can also choose joy and righteousness, and even though the sin will always be in our hearts, we don't always have to act on it. I still believe with everything I am that if there isn't goodness in everyone then there is at least potential in Christ for such, and that in God's eyes we are all sinners in need of a Savior. Even when our world crumbles, there will always be Someone we can depend on, and He is the source of all comfort and peace to those who trust in Him. Because once we find our Savior, we can stop looking. "The good" is already here.