So Good

God is good.

Two weeks ago, my fiancé and I flew out to Edmonton for a quick weekend trip to visit my grandparents. It was a very precious time. And I'm so thankful Grandpa and Grandma, married 65 years this April, were able to meet Kevin, who I will marry next April. My favourite was holding Grandpa’s strong hand and Grandma’s soft hand.

And so, when Grandpa died yesterday, I was able to say with tears, “God is good.” Grandpa loved God and loved his family. But regardless of whether I was able to see Grandpa just two weeks before his death—regardless of circumstances—I ought to be able to say, “God is good.” Because I can trust in God’s character, which never changes. He is so good. So good to us.

God loves so deeply that he first created us so we could experience his great love. And then, when we chose to live our lives in denial or in defiance of him, he chose not to ignore or retaliate, but to give. He gave his only Son, Jesus, to come to earth and live a perfect life. To show us what love is, and then to show us the ultimate love by giving up his life so we don’t have to. In Jesus’ death, he paid the debt for our sin, sin that hurt the One who is so holy that we cannot be in his presence as unholy people. And in his resurrection, he defeated death. God’s great plan to restore means that we can be reunited with our Creator, that we can have peace with God, that we don’t have to live this life alone, that we can spend eternity in his presence, that we can enjoy God as our Father, that we have hope in someone who never changes. This gift need only be accepted, believing that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that he is sufficient.

God didn’t need to do all this for us. But he is Love. And love always gives.