Going for the Best!

Pretty Woman told us to always go for the “best.” However, even with the pursuit of “living our best life;” grabbing the brass ring and our declared right to pursue life, liberty and happiness… the “Best” repeatedly eludes us. We believe our options are often limited in all aspects of our lives. So we settle. We vacillate between refusing to take less than the best and “picking the lesser of two evils.” We blame our circumstances; we blame “the man;” we even blame God when we discover that the “best” is hard to achieve. Or there’s a catch or negative consequence. If we’re lucky to get the best, it can be hard to maintain.

Yet more often than not WE are the ones to blame. We eliminate the best options available to us.

Acts 1:14-26 is the account of Peter and the Apostles choosing Matthias as Judas Iscariot’s replacement. Because of what Jesus had told them, it seemed to make perfect logical sense that a replacement was needed. After all, it’s not 11 Apostles – it’s 12. Peter took it upon himself to establish some criteria for the job of “Apostle” and picked 2 men out of the group as adequate choices – Matthias and Barsabbas. Once the two were chosen they prayed about it and asked God to confirm one of the candidates through the casting of lots. Matthias was the guy.

No one will know for sure who will be that 12th Apostle this side of Heaven. But many agree, as do I, that God had another man in mind for the job… Paul.

Looking at these verses again it struck me that Peter put God in a box. Because of his limited thinking – although perfectly logical and rational – he assumed that something had to be done right then. (We all know what “assume” means.) They established the rules, they chose the candidates and made God pick. Again, their actions made perfect sense. But, they didn’t see the whole picture. Their thinking was in fact limited. They didn’t know what God had planned concerning Paul.

I'm sure Matthias was a great guy, fully qualified for the job. Church history said he was influential for the kingdom and God did approve Him. However, he is NEVER mentioned again in God’s Word. Yet, God’s choice for Judas’ replacement - Paul - brought Christ to the Gentiles. Paul wrote the majority of the New Testament. Paul established churches all across the known world at that time. Seriously – where would we be if God didn’t call Paul?? It’s unthinkable.

How often do I limit God? I’m an intelligent, capable, rational and logical person. I’m a good problem solver. I know how to get things done in an efficient and successful manner. How often do I assess a situation, come up with a couple of options, and then present them to God to pick? I think because I give Him a selection that means I’m truly allowing “God’s will to be done.” But like Peter and the others, I don’t even have an inkling of the big picture. When I look at God's choice, Paul, he was infinitely beyond every other possibility. He was the absolute, hands down best choice. Far beyond what we could ever hope or imagine. THAT is what God wants to provide for us.

Why then do we continually limit God’s best? Why do we continually think we need to force God to answer?

Sure, Matthias was good… did a lot. And at the time Paul was known for killing Christians. Even if he was converted, I’m sure if Peter knew Paul was the guy – he’d have said “NO WAY!” It’s the same with many of our choices. They can be perfectly acceptable, good even. And considering the alternatives we would not choose, we too, would say “NO WAY.” But, oh… imagine our life if we allowed God to provide us with Paul’s instead of Matthias’.

It was humbling and frankly distressing to be reminded that more often than not, I put God in a box. It's painful to realize that I am the one who often hinders me from receiving the best for my life. I'm not a masochist, for Pete’s sake, my intentions are good. Even when looking at a situation where I believe I have no choice; I guess there always IS a choice. It’s just a matter of WHOSE choice I am willing to take… Whose choice I’m willing to WAIT for.

Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

Psalm 33:20
Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.

Psalm 147:11
The Lord favors those who wait for Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness.

Lamenations 3:24
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.