Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Friends, I have scars. Behind all that you can see of me in this physical life, there is much that is not visible but very real just the same. From my point of view I see the chaotic back of the workings of a quilt that is knotted and piecey but I'm trusting that from God's vantage point it is intrinsically beautiful. Today my thoughts took me to a time in my life when my dreams were dashed and my disappointment left me despondent and forlorn. Have you been there?
I think we go through life having certain expectations and when God comes along and changes the course of our journey, we panic and stop dead in our tracks wondering what we've done wrong. John the Baptist probably felt that way. He, of all people, knew Jesus well. He had recognized Jesus from the womb and the Bible says that He leaped for joy upon hearing Elizabeth's greeting of Mary. (Luke 1)
John had spent his life preparing the way for the Lord in the wilderness, giving glory where glory was do and not taking any for His own; yet, his last days were spent sitting in a lonely dark prison cell with roaches and rats crawling at his feet, He had preached that the Messiah was coming and I'm sure he had hoped to either play a small part in His ministry or to be able to see the manifestation of His work. None of his expectations came to fruition. John the Baptist had been faithful, he had been obedient, and committed, yet as a human, he was bound to have been riddled with some doubt.
Can you relate? It is at these times when nothing makes sense that I'm reminded that I must have faith and trust God. I can hear His voice, "Tammy, My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 So you see, as a child of the King I must choose to trust Him and lay my selfish desires aside. He is sovereign and knows what is the best course for my life. He loves me more than anyone He ever created has so what can I say. . . there is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to "Trust and Obey". It all comes down to this: Will I trust my circumstances that will always change or my God who is never changing?
I may never see how God uses my trials and disappointments but I know that one day I'll be eternally grateful for them and dear friend, one day you will too. He understands all our confusion and strife but is determined to make something beautiful of the life He has given us in Christ Jesus.
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Personalize this prayer.
Dear Lord,
I'm puzzled. I had my heart set on _________________________________ and I thought that we were on the same page but it is looking more and more like You've decided to change the course. Yes, I'm disappointed. Yes, I'm frustrated but of course You already know how i'm feeling. Forgive me, but You are going to have to give me a minute to readjust. I love You and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Your ways are always best but I'm having a little trouble with everything right now. Please wrap me in Your arms and hold me close. Show me how to trust You in this transition. Bring people along side of me to walk with me through all that You have planned. You know me, I'm resilient, I will follow You where You are leading, I just need some reassurance and faith. I'm resting in You and though I don't like the evident changes, I'm open to Your plans. You are sovereign over all the earth and I thank You ahead of time for all that You have in store. Please give me grace to shine Your light in the midst of my shortage.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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