Several years ago, someone loaned me a little book called “Messiology” by George Verwer. The subtitle of the book is long but interesting: “The Mystery of How God Works Even When it doesn’t Make Sense to Us.” I had been noticing more often how God was at work in my life, even when I messed up, so I was intrigued by this subtitle. I started reading the book, and I discovered a profound truth put so clearly into everyday words.
“Put simply, messiology is the idea that God in His patience, mercy, and passion to bring men and women to Himself often does great things in the midst of a mess…I sometimes refer to it his as ‘radical grace.’…no matter how filled we are with the Holy Spirit, we are still human. Our humanness has its beautiful side and its messy side.” (George Verwer)
I used to see life choices as mostly good or bad, right or wrong, God’s will or not God’s will. And I was afraid of making a wrong choice, of not following God’s will. Looking back, I think it was an unhealthy fear. Yes, I still want to do what is right. But somehow the fear of doing anything wrong actually kept me from trusting God and seeing Him more clearly.
Ironically, after I had lived through a season of my life being a mess (and after reading this book), I saw so clearly that “messiology” is a beautiful truth that frees us in many ways.
*When I know God will be faithful to work all things for my good, even my sin and mistakes, then I can let go of guilt and regret.
*When I see God as always at work, even in my utter mess, I can have peace knowing that nothing is wasted.
*When I have confidence that God’s grace, sovereignty, and power is greater than my own human frailty and failings, then I don’t have to fear failure or be paralyzed by not wanting to make a wrong choice.
*When I believe God is working out His greater purposes no matter what, then I can forgive others and trust Him when I don’t like what’s happening.
*When stop pressuring myself and others to always “get it right,” then I can both receive and give grace, as I walk this journey with others and Jesus.
Is any of this resonating with you? I hope it is! I wish I could go back 15 years and live with this beautiful understanding. It would have saved me so much stress, anxiety, fear, guilt, grief, etc.
Life is hard. We are imperfect humans. That’s the reality. But at the same time, God is greater! He is always at work. He keeps His promises, and He remains who He is, regardless of what we do or what happens to us.
Yet one more reason why He is so worthy of our praise!
“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” –Jeremiah 32:27
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.” –Ephesians 1:11-12
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