How Do We Find the Goodness of Jesus When Life Isn't Good with Stephanie McKeever

Aug 11

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:4-5

We waited in our doctor’s office. He left the door open to make a phone call. The X-ray of my boy’s leg was up on the monitor. I scoured the screen like a trained tech. ‘I’m a medical mom,’ I thought. I’ve seen enough x-rays to decipher another. It’s just a deep bruise, right?

I sneaked a peek to read our doctor’s lips on the phone. Why so rushed? You know that feeling in your gut that says you know? Our doctor came back with three possibilities: deep bruise, benign, or bone cancer. No one rushes you into a world class pediatric hospital for a bruise. When you know, you know.

How do we find the goodness of Jesus when life isn't good?

I don’t think any of us think good when we hear cancer. What good is coming in this for my almost young man who has lived life with very different abilities. Maybe I’m looking for good in the wrong places. The more I look for good in temporary the more I will be let down. The more I equate good with cancer’s healing, an easy special needs life, hope in people; I will be left unsatisfied, possibly embittered.

That’s not my gauge of goodness. My goodness gauge is always Jesus. The things of this earth will always fail me.

Like the man on the cross next to Jesus, one day I will face him. Do I believe his goodness is greater than our suffering? The thief on the cross believed. Luke 23 says, “”Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus said, “... today, you will be with me in Paradise.”” Because of Jesus, the things I don’t see as good are being made new.

We knew cancer would be difficult to defeat. And, ultimately it was unbeatable. Revelation 21:4-5 tells us God is making all things new. Broken things of this world are being made new. He will wipe tears, kick death away, end grief and pain. But, I can’t see goodness in broken without seeing the goodness of God first. There are days this broken world brings me to my knees, at the least some really ugly cry car rides. Then I remember, this world is not my goodness gauge.

That’s the man on the cross.

Jesus, he’s my gauge.

He is where I find goodness when life isn't good.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the gift of coming to you in prayer. Your holiness is a reminder that you are my goodness gauge. I cannot wait for the day you make everything new! I am in awe and praise you for your son, Jesus, for making a way for us to be with you in Paradise. I pray for your will, wherever these hard roads may lead. Help us remember our suffering is not the gauge of goodness. It is your suffering that was and is good. I ask for forgiveness for putting me before you. Thank you for the cross. It is in your name, Jesus, we pray. Amen

Dig Deeper: Revelation 21

Discussion Questions: