“Man finds it hard to get what he wants, because he does not want the best; God finds it hard to give, because He would give the best, and man will not take it.”
– George MacDonald
Thoughts?
Todd
11 thoughts on “Thoughts on a Quote”
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It is so true. In trying to develop a devotional for a women’s breakfast this morning, at my church, I thought about how little we lean on each other. This past week saw some silly issue that, at the time, seemed major. A flooded basement, resulting damage to one of the floors of the house that we rent, and two days of doing everything alone, I realized that I probably have many that would have helped; from my church, from my roller derby team, from my work. But we struggled through and spent two days to do cleanup that many of us could have done in hours, yet I never even thought to ask.
I wonder why we don’t use our Godly connections and contribute to our Godly connections more? This is what the quote that you have posted made me think of and I am going t oask that question today at breakfast. Thank you.
Because man doesn’t know what is best for him. But you know, God still gives it to us, we just don’t know at the time that it is the best and most perfect thing, because sometimes it is a trial.
Yet, despite far too many refusing to take the best, God in his mercy and grace gave it anyway. He gave us Christ, and the best thing he could, salvation. Though some will refuse, He gave it still.
It’s hard to trust God to know what’s best for us, isn’t it? We keep trying to wrest control from Him.
Tess
Amen, I look around me and see, people struggling to find happiness in everything you can imagine. So many treading down paths that lead into beautifully disguised brick walls and nothing but saltwater for nourishment on their journey. What they don’t realize is the saltwater leaves them even thirstier and the brick wall, well it can kill! Gods gift of himself in Jesus is his best gift everyone. Unfortunately so many reject it, Maybe its because, the outside wrapping is not decorated like the brick walls are that so many of us choose to run into. His wrapping was destroyed so badly it was unrecognizable as he was lifted up on the cross. If we only use the eyes on our heads he appears as something bad and ugly. But if looked at with the eyes of our hearts, well then maybe we may see the beauty within the gift. The love and mercy poured out to give life beyond brick walls and food of heavenly life. Then we can taste what happened on the third day; New life and a joy unspeakable!
Todd I can’t wait to hear your new album. Jay and I have been patiently waiting for it since you told us about it in CC TX in 2010. Take Care and Blessings to you and your family.
Man’s desires are often different from God’s desires. Humans naturally
have desires that bend towards prosperity of earthly wealth and status,
where as God has plans to Prosper us with peace, joy and a future. None
of those necessarily involve great earthly wealth or status.
But i have no belief in anything being hard for God. God is God. =D
I prefer MacDonald’s other quote, “To have what we want is riches; but to be able to do without is power.”
I think it’s accurate to say “man will not take it.” However, I think God calls us all at some point to step out of the boat in faith onto the stormy water. I believe uncertainty is what keeps people hesitant and fearing of what God can give. I’m a struggleing sinner, every day i battle with trusting what God has planned for me. Todd put it best in his song If You Wanted Me “If you wanted me to walk on water, why’d you make the solid ground feel so right?” So I think all of man does want the best. We all have questions that can’t be answered and not knowing what is ahead is a step some people in this world arent willing to take, aren’t ready to take, or arent aware they need to take it.
We all fall short of the glory because we think we know what is best for us. But, God,s grace is all we really need. Everything else is just fluff.
Sounds just like us. We are slow to learn sometimes but so thankful God is longsuffering and His Love endures forever.
Isn’t that the theme of the Bible and man’s pattern of behavior from the beginning of creation to present time? God offers us His very best that would give us everything we need and desire, but instead we choose a cheap counterfeit. The amazing thing is that God continues to pursue us with a love that doesn’t give up.
Just out of curiosity, where is this one from? And have you read any of MacDonald’s “Unspoken Sermons”? They’re choc full of this theme, which sort of sums up the view of love you can see in most (all?) of MacDonald’s works: that which would spare nothing to see the ultimate loveliness of the beloved made real.