His ways are not my ways

We always have a certain way we think something should work out; a certain way that we think things should be handled or dealt with, but how often does that really happen?  How often do situations or circumstances work out according to the plans or thoughts in our minds?  I’ll personally say, for myself, not often at all!  As hard as it is to understand we only have a limited view of our lives.  We, for the most part, can only see the here and now; what’s right in front of us at the time. 

It’s because of this limited view that we need to learn to always seek God and His will before we do anything on our own.  He knows the outcome of the situation, even our thoughts, long before we ever do.   Our thoughts, emotions and sight cause us to believe that we can navigate our way through anything with limited or no help from the Lord.  Which can cause us to sometimes go around the same mountain over and over again repeating the same test and trials over and over again!      

We think we know what’s best so we try to force things to happen, to turn out a certain way but, more often than not it doesn’t work because God has a different plan.  I won’t lie, sometimes it’s a painful plan down a path that can leave us feeling like He abandoned us or that He doesn’t care about what we’re going through.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  We have to learn to trust Him enough to follow His lead no matter how much we don’t understand; and have faith that He sees and knows all.    

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) ⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  ⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.Cross references:

I’ve come to the realization that certain things have happened, certain relationships strained or distanced in my life for a reason…for God’s reason.  He knew that if it didn’t happen then worldly views and fears would not have allowed me to pray in the manner that I did.  He knew that my emotions would have gotten in the way; that my view would have been skewed or mislead and I would have fallen short more often than I did even with Him leading the way. 

I don’t claim that it didn’t/doesn’t hurt…in fact many days I felt like I’d fall apart.  However, His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts; BUT…they are perfect and always on time.  This also still does not mean that I am far beyond ready for things to get back on track or to the way they should be either…God knows I do, but I know enough now to say that His timing is perfect.  Because He has proven Himself in my faith over and over again I will stay steadfast in prayer…waiting on Him.

His plan is so much different from mine….but, oh the feeling when it all starts to fall into place; PRICELESS!!

Taking a step back

Philippians 2:13 (AMP) ¹³ [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

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

Some days feel like such a struggle; days where I feel like I’m barely keeping my head above water.  I’m starting to think it’s time to take a step back! The two above scriptures cause me to realize that I want so badly to live a life for Christ…to do and be what He wants me to be that I get caught up in MY chase and pursuit of what I think that is instead of allowing Him to lead the way. 

Sometimes it’s because some wonderful idea pops into my head and I think yes…I can do this or maybe better put, I should do this.  Or, maybe it’s some observation that someone else has made on my life; things would be so much better if you did this or this always works for me you should try it too.  Sadly, out of trying to be the “best Christian” I start many more things that I actually finish.  I’m too busy thinking that who I am, what I do and how I live is not enough or can always be better.  I spend too much time waiting for this “BIG” step or that “miraculous” change that I’m not realizing that…just maybe I am living out His purpose for me in my day to day life already!?!   

Now, don’t get me wrong, I do believe there is always something that we can do better…that is just a fact of life.  However, this doesn’t mean that I have to live constantly thinking that who I am and what I do is never enough.  I’m not exactly sure what the answer to this is…..you know, I remember some years ago that part of my daily prayer was for peace.  Peace in my choices, peace in my actions and peace of mind…that He would grant me a peace that can only come from Him.  That I may plug through life with a clear mind and focus.  Somewhere along the line I have stopped diligently praying for that peace…and I’m more than noticing it. 

Isaiah 30:21 (VOICE) ²¹ Your ears will hear sweet words behind you: “Go this way. There is your path; this is how you should go” whenever you must decide whether to turn to the right or the left.

So, I guess after saying that…I need to again begin praying for God’s peace to reign in my life.  That I will not cloud my mind or my judgment with all these things that I think I need to be doing or even what I have allowed the world to shape the view of my life to be.   When I am full of God’s peace I have the calm and assurance that while I am not perfect, I am living my life as best I can for Him; I can feel Him guiding me through.  I will have ups and downs…and I will certainly fall short sometimes, but that does not count me out or condemn me. 

It’s funny how sometimes we can spend so much time trying to “improve” ourselves that we end up missing who we are altogether.  We want so much to be this great person or walk this great purpose that too often we end up missing what our true God given purpose is…or that we may even be living it right now!