God is Not in the Business of Ruining Lives
“God is not in the business of ruining lives.”
This simple statement from a sermon had a profound impact on my walk with Jesus. Years later I still recite it, remind myself of its truth, and tell it to others in conversation.
Why so meaningful, you ask? Because at the time those words were spoken, I believed God was ruining my life. I knew He loved me. I knew I was in good standing with Him because of my saving relationship with Christ. I loved him back, truly. But it felt like He did not want me to be happy.
Things I wanted and asked for…nothing. Things I tried to accomplish all fell flat. Prayers upon prayers over my life and nothing was panning out like I thought it should. As a matter of fact, God was just being mean, or at least I thought so. He was pushing me more and more in a direction that I did NOT want to go. He was removing things, breaking things down, and it hurt so badly. I was certain He was ruining everything that I had planned and knew I wanted.
Ruin – noun; the physical destruction or disintegration of something or the state of disintegrating or being destroyed.
Okay, so if He did not want to ruin my life and He loved me, then what was He doing?
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
He was making me more like Jesus. And an abundant life is full of refining fire. Refining can feel a lot like ruining, but the result is very different.
God was crushing my pride; taking a spiritual sledge hammer to my idol factory of a life. He was tearing down the high places in my heart that had taken the place of him. He did seek to destroy something, but it was not me, only my sin, my self-righteousness, and my fear. It was never about my happiness but about my holiness.
God seldom calls us for an easier life, but always calls us to know more of him and drink more deeply of His sustaining grace.
God is not in the business of ruining lives, but changing lives and refining them for your good and His glory. You are in the good hands of a perfect and loving father. Therein lies the good life and fullness of joy forevermore.
