There is a Seinfeld episode in which the character George is being interviewed by a psychiatrist. He and Jerry are, in his eyes, on the verge of success after finally getting a tv series pilot on the air. George, ever the optimist, sees everything that can go wrong - especially when the psychiatrist asks him about a white spot on his upper lip. In his hysteria George states that God isn't going to let him be successful.

"But you don't believe in God" responds the psychiatrist.

"I do for the bad things!" George says.

How typical a reaction this is for us as humans; we fail to see the evidence of God's existance all around us or if we do, we fail to acknowledge his sovereignty. We are often slow to give him the credit for the gifts he has given us that allow for successes but are quick to point the finger of blame when things don't go the way we would choose. We don't thank him when things are going well but any failures couldn't possibly be a result of any actions (or inactions) on our own part.

I often identified with the insecurities exhibited by the character of George in this show, not to mention his balding pate. But this is an area I am happy to not find a common bond with; I know that anything good that comes out of my life is the result of a loving God full of grace. It is only because of this grace that I have any hope for the future, either short-term or long.

We may not always succeed in our ventures - and what life lessons would we be learning if we did? But to think that God wants us to fail at life flies in the face of his immense love for us; you don't create something in hopes that it will fail in its purpose. He knows and loves us intimately, more so than we can ever fathom. We are his children, his creation. He may not make all of our paths easy and straight but you can be certain that he is always scouting ahead of you on the trail, then coming back to walk with you along the way.

Have a wonderful day,

Brad