3.25.2014

Good Girl = Good Life?


 Good Girl Equals Good Life

Cause and effect is a truism in the heart of man. We put 100 cents into a vending machine and cry “scam” if nothing comes out. We live an upright life and anticipate a good name and reputation. We work hard and spend and save money wisely and expect to stay out of poverty.

Sometimes, we think that if we were homeschooled, then we are entitled to “superior” spiritual and educational status. We subconsciously act as if when we minister to others then they will love us. And at times, we think that if we set the right boundaries, then we won’t fall prey to sin, or if we love children that we will have lots, or if we cross every t and dot every i of courtship, that we won’t have a broken heart, or if we dress modestly then everyone will treat us like ladies, or if we read our Bible every day then we’ll know God’s answers to everything, or if we don’t go into debt, then we’ll succeed financially, or if we live at home then we won’t have an independent spirit, or if we raise our children the right way then they’ll never rebel.

Have you ever echoed Jeremiah's thoughts on the wicked? I know I have. There are times when I’ve felt—without even realizing it—that I am being a good girl, so why doesn’t the world just cooperate and allow me a good life! When things get tough, I brood, wondering if I’m really in God’s will. Why is it working out so well for everyone else, but not for me? What have they done right that I have done wrong? My sense of entitlement burned a crater within me.

Good God Equals Glorifying Life

God Himself has put this understanding of cause and effect in our hearts because it is a part of His own character (Galatians 6:7). The world calls it karma or imagines an afterlife scale of good works versus bad or reincarnation based upon one’s righteousness. But the true effect for every cause won’t be made manifest until the end of this age at the ultimate reckoning when God judges the world.

We understand that life isn’t a vending machine, that man is inherently sinful, that the ultimate reward of eternal life isn’t based on what we did (good works) but what we received (salvation). Tribulation is a promise (John 16:33) for those who follow God and do good!

If you’ve examined yourself in the suffering and found that you are not suffering for wrongdoing (a cause and effect everyone can support!) then do not be surprised (I Peter 4:12-13). Yours may not be a “good” life right now—but there is a good God Who asks you to glorify Him anyways. Don’t waver. Don’t think that hardship only befalls the evil, or that you must have shorted the cosmic vending machine somewhere along the way. God has covered you with His good, and you’re in the midst of a cause and effect much greater than you. This cause and effect spans centuries and transcends your mortal life. This cause and effect reaches all the way into an eternity that commences with “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” and continues with worshiping God. The grievous cause is ephemeral. And the effect? It never ceases.



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6 comments:

  1. Great post, Mikaela! I have struggled with some of these same questions and have found myself asking God "Why?" It is good to know that God sees all and one day ALL will be held accountable for the good or evil they have done. It is so good to remember that we serve a faithful God, who enables us to be faithful in the face of challenges.

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    1. It is indeed good to serve our faithful God! And I'm so thankful for the Apostle Paul, who seems to have been on the same track as us, for under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he asked a lot of the same questions and provided a lot of answers when we struggle with this! Thank you for commenting, Ruthie!

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  2. Mmm -so true! We also have the promise that "If anyone lacks wisdom" regarding his suffering/tribulation, "let him ask of God, who give to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." Not only can we have faith that the "effect" is well worth it, but our Father will give us the wisdom we need to see past current sufferings...

    P.S. I love how you put, "eternal life isn't based on what we did, but what we received" - very well-said. :)

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    1. Absolutely, Sarah! Thanks for pointing out how faith can give us that perspective we {I!} so desperately need!

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  3. Oh to know this good God of ours better!!! We're in week two of a Bible study calling "Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically" and it has been so refreshing to go back and consider what it means to walk with Him WHATEVER the seasons of life happen to hold. :)

    Your words here go right along with the things that God has been teaching me lately! Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Hello Lauren and Mikaela.and Malanie and susanna. So good to know you through Lauren's profile on the blogger. I am also glad to stop by your blog "One Bright Corner" and the post of it "Good Girl = Good Life?". Very positive approach, a thoughtful and encouraging and enriching. I am blessed to know you all four wonderful good and Godly sisters. It seems it is my second time that I came across Lauren's profile and it is not an accident but the Lord brings people in to your life with purpose. I am in the Pastoral ministry for last 34yrs in the great city of Mumbai, India a city with great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the broken hearted. We also encourage young people as well as adults to come to Mumbai on a short / long term missions trip to work with us in the slums of Mumbai among poorest of poor to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to give them new hope, life and purpose. We would love to have you four sisters along with your friends to come on a short / long term missions trip to work with us in the slums of Mumbai giving hope to the broken hearted. I am sure you will never be the same. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. Looking forward to hear from you very soon.

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