I love to read multitudes of words in all the various forms they come in. But sometimes it’s not a lengthy passage that stirs my devotion. Sometimes a simple phrase or even a single word captures my attention completely — a snippet speaking to everything I didn’t know I needed. Things like:

Be patient with yourself. This one jolted me years ago when a dear friend sat by my side in the back hallway of our church as I cried over something that seemed so silly, yet I couldn’t easily get over it. She reminded me to be patient with myself. I don’t know why this had never occurred to me before, but I found immense comfort in the realization that just like I was patient with other people, I could be patient with my own self.

Identity, Intimacy, Influence. This alliteration has been the core of my desire to cultivate a deep walk with Christ. Identity, intimacy, and influence are trigger words for me that remind me to remain anchored in my identity in Christ, to not shy away from cultivating intimacy with Him, and to trust that organic influence comes not because I strive to make something happen but out of the overflow of my abiding in Christ (John 15).

Let God define the good. When I heard this on a podcast while driving a couple of months ago, I almost pulled over on the side of the road. A woman was sharing about her time overseas, and what life looked like when she returned home. I can’t remember the bulk of everything shared, but that one powerful phrase has stuck with me since I heard it. This will forever be added to my wheelhouse of words that encourage and compel me to keep my eyes on Jesus.

“Let God define the good” lifted a weight off my shoulders. Even now, those words provide a deep breath and an exhale. I don’t have to muster what I think good should look like for my marriage or family or ministry or whatever. I don’t have to wallow in despair when what I expect doesn’t materialize the way I think it should.

Letting God define the good doesn’t disregard the tangible struggle or frustration we may feel. This mindset doesn’t justify hurtful moments or actions that are not right. It’s simply an invitation to submission and surrender. Just like God deemed what He made “good” at creation, we can let Him define what is good even now.

Even if we can’t see the good. Even if it is more or less than we expect. We can lament and repent, we can dream and be content. And in all of it, we can declare, God, I’m going to let You define the good.

When I allow God to define the good in my circumstances, I exchange my disappointment for His desires. In that exchange, He works all those things out for my good.

“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.”
Romans 8:28 NIV

If you need (like I do!) to surrender your pen to the true Author and Finisher and absolute Definer, here is a prayer:

Yes, Lord, we will agree with Your Word, define the good for us this year. God, define what it looks like to thrive and flourish, what it looks like for us to run upon heights where only Your wings can take us. God, define us.

Speak the words that only You can say. Breathe into us the way You breathed life into Adam’s lungs, that body of dirt rung from the earth — that body set in motion by what came forth from Your lungs. Help us to long for what You love. What You love is us and You called us good and decided that it was good to come, with us, as one of us, to bring us closer to You.

Jesus, You encountered discomfort, toil, and tension, yet for the joy set before You,You endured what we never could because Father God defined it as good. You defined us as worthy to be pursued. So Lord, we’ll let You define our good. It may not look like what we see to the left or the right of us, but instead of comparison and strife, we choose to lean into the words You’ve written over our lives. And in Your good, we’ll delight. Amen.

 

Listen to Jenny’s devotion below or on your favorite podcast app.

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