Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father.
(James 1:17)
Given a choice between good and best, almost everyone would choose best. But what is “best”? According to society, the best is whatever helps me the most quickly in my current situation. It produces favorable circumstances and accomplishes what I desire. However, according to God, the best is whatever helps me the most, not just for this moment in time, but forever. It produces favorable character and accomplishes God’s purposes.
Best is not the same for you as it is for me. It is not a universal one-size fits all package. The best is custom-designed by God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth as you ask these questions:
Will this choice fit into God’s purpose for my life?
God created each one of us for a purpose and anything that interferes with that purpose will distract us.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
(Proverbs 19:21, NIV)
It is important to stay focused on God’s plans and purposes and not our own.
Will this choice align with God’s guidelines for life?
God created the universe and established the laws and principles for a harmonious life. When we choose to live contrary to those rules, we will encounter unavoidable problems.
Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the LORD your God.
(Deuteronomy 12:28)
God’s rules for life are like guideposts or guardrails. They keep us on the path to his best.
Will this choice pass the test of time?
The best is always determined by time. What is best right now may look very different a year from now or ten years from now. Circumstances change and so do people.
Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
(Isaiah 46:10)
Our faithful God’s time frame for life is like a scoreboard clock that we can’t see. No matter what the score may be right now, the best is not obvious until the buzzer sounds and the game of life is over. God always sees long-range and guides us within that framework.
The bottom line? Only God can know what’s ultimately best. The purpose of our lives is clearly understood by him. Your time frame for life is completely visible to him. Only God is capable of orchestrating the countless variables of life into a journey that leads to his best for you now and into eternity.
“Waiting is the hardest kind of work, but God knows best, and we may joyfully leave all in his hands.”
— Lottie Moon