Just start writing. That’s what I keep hearing. Over and over and over again for the last two years. Just start writing. Writing is like a muscle. A muscle that is exercised and after weekly and daily use, becomes stronger and stronger. You feel confidence when you go to use it like training for long distance running. It’s ok to take a break for a little bit, but the longer you wait, the harder it is. It atrophies, and after years of “rest,” it feels impossible to move that muscle again. But, eventually, that some day, that one day, becomes today. You stretch a little bit and then go for it. So here I am.

Just start writing. Even if it hurts. Even if you think no one will read it. That’s where I am at today. Today, I can’t help but write about the goodness of God. A feeling that if I waited even one more day, that writing muscle would never be used again, and I may never be able to get out just how good He is to me. God’s goodness. It’s a simple idea that nearly all people who identify as Christians have heard and most believe. I might even guess that a significant amount of people outside the faith have heard it as well. Despite it’s simplicity, it can quickly turn into a sticking point or even a significant debate when juxtaposed with the daily harsh realities of the fallen world we live in.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good;” (Psalm 34:8a)

It is no coincidence, that it is exactly at this point in writing about God’s goodness, that I received a text from a close friend of mine. His daughter was just present in a shooting on a busy city street following a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony last night. Fortunately, she and those she were with were not hurt despite being just 30-50 feet away from the shooter. It is times like this that it feels impossible to talk about the goodness of God, but this is exactly when we need to talk about it the most. The enemy is fighting a battle to distract and derail anyone and all of us from tasting and seeing how good the Lord really is. Work stress, family conflict, economy, politics, and horrific acts of violence all erode our faith and belief that God is who He says He is. And that is exactly what the enemy wants.

Even if it does erode it, even if your faith is strong and not subject to withering, the enemy won’t stop there. He’ll use other tactics. He’ll divide you from others to keep your voice quiet. He’ll dig at your credibility so no one will trust you. He’ll eclipse the influence you have and make you too busy to speak truth. Fortunately, we don’t have to fight this ourselves. The battle has already been won. We can just lay down our arms, know that God is good, and trust that He knows better than we do how to move forward.

“Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life.” (Psalm 23:6)

Surely. That’s a strong word there. Not maybe, not if I do this and if I do that then hopefully His goodness will come. It’s says surely, and we should trust in that. We have to trust in that. Moreover, we don’t have to seek out His goodness, His goodness will pursue us. It will follow where we go. Despite our daily attempts to run away, His goodness will pursue us.

“So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded. (James 4:7-8)

When we finally lay it all down. When we say enough is enough - I am not strong enough for this fight, but I server a God who is. When we say no more to the enemy. Then we can draw near to God, taste and see how good He is, and experience his goodness pursuing us. It’s not easy, and it exactly the opposite of what the world is telling us what success looks like. But it is absolutely necessary. And do we really want what the world calls success? It doesn’t seem to be working so let’s go a better way.

Father God – The world is fallen, but you are still good. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but you are still good. Help us submit to you all that we hold tightly to that keeps us from the nearness we desire most. Give us your heart and your eyes to see the goodness you share in this world, and bring us brothers and sisters to remind us continue to do this when the enemy blinds us.– In your name I pray, Amen.