These six words by Dallas Willard sum up to me much of what a life of faith involves. Willard was a philosopher, theologian and pastor. His learning was tempered with a disarming wisdom and humility. He also had a way of distilling deep truths into short, pithy sayings. 

I have long believed God is good. In and of itself that is a truth that may not ask much of me. Looking at the world around me I see beautiful sunsets. I enjoy the silent presence of the forest. I do not find it difficult to be impressed at the majesty of alpine mountains. New scientific discoveries reveal the mind blowing size, majesty and complexity of the universe. These, and many other wonders, all speak to me of goodness, of beauty, of a divine artist and creator. 

There is also much to celebrate in the achievements of civilisation. Music, art, culture, architecture and inventions to name a few. Mankind’s ability to communicate and cooperate through language. Many of these things are undoubtedly good and have been to the benefit of mankind.

‘Never Believe Anything Bad About God’. So far so good (pun intended!). However what about when life is hard. When the world seems cruel, senseless and unjust.  Believing that God is never bad then is altogether more demanding. My faith, what I say I believe about God, is being challenged. It’s when ‘the rubber hits the road’. Believing in the goodness of God whatever the circumstances engages my heart rather than my head. My attitude rather than platitudes. To acknowledge a reality beyond what my senses convey. It is an invitation to a relationship of trust. I don’t have all the answers and never will.

To believe is not just a verbal assent to some truth. Here is Willard again…

We don’t believe something by merely saying we believe it, or even when we believe that we believe it. We believe something when we act as if it were true.

Dallas Willard

To believe God is never bad is a call to behave in a countercultural way. To act in a manner that is not dependent on how I feel. 

The temptation to doubt God’s goodness can creep in unawares. It can arise when decades long prayers are not answered. When sickness or death threatens those near or dear. Or it might be the temptation to despair when wicked people and their schemes seem to prosper. Questioning the good intentions of God is not new. It lay behind the serpent’s question to Eve.

“The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal God had made. He spoke to the Woman: “Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?””
‭‭Gen‬ ‭3‬ vs ‭1‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Does God really care? Yes He does! He cares for me and this fundamentally good world He has created. As for me I will be grateful even for small things.

Why do some prayers not get answered? I don’t know and may never know. However I will keep praying for ‘His kingdom to come and His will to be done’. In my own life and in others.

Why do some people seem to have an easier life? Each person’s path is absolutely unique, including my own. Everyone’s burden is only known fully by God. Embrace that and rejoice with those who rejoice.

Why is there so much suffering and some suffer more than others? I don’t know but I can weep with those who weep.

Why do bad things happen to good people? I don’t know. There are many things that are mysterious. I can still weep with those who weep.

I am thankful that God sent Jesus to this perplexing world. That he lived, died and rose from the dead. Everything he did spoke of a good God reaching out with his love to me. That is all I need.

** elisabethgrantart.com