I was listening to a radio program this morning and the speaker mentioned that God’s ultimate goal is to bring us into an intimite relationship with him.  My first thought was one of concession, for I thought that I knew that.  But upon further consideration I began to think about what that really means.

The statement is is the ultimate answer to the question of why difficult circumstances find us.  God is infiinite in his knowledge and wisdom, we are not.  We often think a circumstance is bad for us when indeed it is “ultimately” and “absolutely” good.  For anything “good” is that which bring us closer to God.  Our perspective and ability to properly give up control to God is held in understanding such a small truth.  To “accept” the truth that God’s ultimate goal is for our growth towards him, then we would turn not to dissapointment but instead to joy.  We would embrace seemingly “worldly” troubles (finances, career, family, friends, etc) for what they truly are.  Heavenly ordained circumstances with the ultimate goal of bringing us closer to God.