When my friend Megan and I were roommates for a season of life, one of the phrases that came out of that time was “more best.” I preface this by noting that both of us love words and grammar. The wonky grammar is part of what makes it funny. She and I were chatting in my room and I had a pile of clean sheets, fresh out of the dryer, ready to go back on my bed. I hugged the warm sheets, took a big inhale, and said, “Isn’t this the best?”
Megan’s eyes lit up. She broke into a huge smile and replied, “You know what would be even more best?”
She then wrapped the warm sheet around her body like a cocoon, closed her eyes, and grinned from ear to ear. It was indeed, more best.
This is a picture of God.
Ephesians chapter 3 ends with Paul’s prayer that his readers would understand the vast dimensions of God’s love. How wide and long, and high and deep, is the love of Christ. Then he worships God for who He is:
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!” -Ephesians 3: 20 & 21
The one and only God of the universe is a more best
God.
In less than a month, I will celebrate how God was more best in Megan’s story. I get to be a bridesmaid when she marries, Sam, a man who goes beyond what Megan asked or imagined. She asked and she imagined for a long time before she met him. It took patience, trust, and hope. And now, celebration and exhaling into the beautiful answer.
I married a more best man; also beyond what I asked for or imagined. When I’m worried and reviewing all the ways things could go wrong, he occasionally says, “But what if it’s really good?”
Of course, goodness is an outcome we can expect as deeply loved followers of God! Even in the crappiest of situations, we have guidance and help and the power of the Holy Spirit for all who believe Him. Romans 8:28 says God works everything for good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. There’s another level of goodness – of best – that’s possible because God is good beyond our imaginings.
I hope you can wrap yourself in that.
