How well do you know your friends? It takes time, doesn’t it? To really know someone—to know their heart. To see how they act and react in different situations and to understand what motivates them.
We might know all about our best friend, where they were born, how they were raised, what their likes and dislikes are, but we need to observe their actions in order to know them at a deeper level. Hopefully, as our relationship develops, we observe our friend in action and see that some of their actions are motivated by love. We get a glimpse into their heart, and even though no one is perfect, we give them our trust because we know some of their heart.
These reflections lead us to a bigger question. What motivates GOD? A snap shot of Isaiah 53 reads;
5But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Additionally, John 3:16 reads;
For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believed in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. NIV
Our Heavenly Father’s motivation is love. It was GOD’s heart, motivated by love, to crush his own son on account of our sin. The depth of a love like that exceeds human comprehension. By this single action, GOD proved His love for us and proved himself trustworthy.
Perhaps you have doubts because you see a lot of pain in the world and in your own life. Look at the cross. GOD took a painful crucifixion and turned it into a glorious victory over sin and death by raising Jesus from the dead. This is the wisdom and power of GOD. He has the power to turn pain around and use it for eternal good.
GOD is in control–even in our pain. Through our pain, He is working and weaving towards a good outcome.
When we don’t understand a specific event in our lives, we can fall back on what we do know– we know GOD’s heart. We know what motivates Him. GOD is motivated by love and His great plan is to spend eternity with us in a perfect place—that’s His heart.
Romans 8:28;
And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Reflections
If you are indeed trusting and walking with the Lord, why would you want your circumstances to be any different?