“For My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. Is 55:8-9
I remember as a child how beautifully my mom would wrap the packages under our Christmas tree. Birthday’s were no exception. There was just as much attention to thoughtfulness and detail. Everything about the package coordinated from the wrapping paper to the bow. The edges were nicely creased and the tape was placed over every edge just right. Keep in mind, this was long before gift bags made it so easy and where all you have to do is stuff the gift inside and zshoozsh it up with some tissue paper. Today there are still a few lovely souls who give wrapped gifts. I sit and admire those pretty packages while my gift sits in a gift bag.
As human beings, the longer we live on this planet the more we come to realize that life is not a pretty package. As much as we try to design, and manipulate our lives we wake up one day and discover “life is messy”. We want so much to avoid the things that don’t fit in to what we thought would be a good plan with a great outcome. We often think that our way will be the right way and we can minimize the messes. It’s not long before we come to terms with reality. Slowly but surely we learn that not everything makes sense and that life is a combination of the bitter and the sweet. Where do we go from here?
As children of God our faith is placed in One who’s wisdom infinite! This is a truth we know but often gets overshadowed. How many times are we baffled and bewildered in our thinking? We hear that voice in our mind that say’s, “why is this happening”? We want somehow to fix “it” or “them” so that everything fits into our plan. Sin and disobedience can often be traced to the mess we’re in. In that case it’s ours to own up to and we must pursue the path of confession and repentance. Only then will we see the merciful hand of God mend what we’ve messed up and He will! However, there are things in life that aren’t the result of sin, and which we simply don’t understand. This is when we must look beyond the immediate to the eternal.
Moses was a desert dweller before he became a deliverer. I think of Joseph who was a prisoner before he was a prince. I’m reminded Paul who lived with a thorn but who’s life testified of the gospel. Let’s not forget our beloved Savior. His earthly life was one that most viewed as unsuccessful and tragic. But in the eyes of God and for you and me it was the most triumphant life ever lived.
Ladies, let’s rejoice! Life is not always a pretty package but God spoke rightly through Isaiah. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts”.