In Isaiah 55:8-9, the Bible reminds us of an important lesson: “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.”
One of the crucial lessons we have to learn as we draw closer to God and seek to follow Him is the fact that He doesn’t always work the way we think He should. That’s why Solomon reminded us in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” We many times cannot fully understand why God does or doesn’t do certain things. It’s all part of learning to TRUST HIM completely.
Over the past couple of months, I rented a local community center auditorium and spent money printing flyers, banners, etc., in preparation for what I thought would be a HUGE event as I shared my story and the message of God’s love with the many people who I envisioned would come. However, last night in the auditorium set up for 170 people, only six people showed up. There was a time in my life where I would have been greatly discouraged by that – all the time and effort I put in and only six people came? Thankfully, I’ve learned that even when things don’t turn out the way we want or plan – God is in control.
As I was leaving the community center last night, the security guard asked me how my speaking event went. I told her that it went good. Then I told her “Only six people came.” She replied, “I guess God wanted those six people to hear your message!” And I was able to smile and say, “Yes, that’s what I prayed, that God would bring the people He wanted to my event.”
You see, when we learn to COMPLETELY trust Him, even when things don’t turn out the way we “planned” them to – we can rest in the complete knowledge and understanding that God is STILL God and His plan isn’t always what WE plan. He simply bids us trust him and obey. When we do that – it won’t bother us if things don’t happen just the way we thought they should. Remember His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts. After all – HE IS GOD!