His Ways are Higher

We all have times when we feel let down by others. A major one for me happened over a decade ago, when something I had planned on was denied me, for reasons I still am not aware of. It was a big moment in my life that I was really looking forward to, and when it fell through, I felt really rejected. My first thought was that God was rejecting me. He quickly reminded me, through his Word and his Spirit, that people’s rejection of me is not his rejection of me.

I knew God had a good purpose for my life, and thought I had figured it out. But life proved otherwise when it took a different turn. Joseph, son of Jacob, may have thought that too. He had dreams of being honored by his family. Even though these dreams were God-given, he could have been wiser and humbler by keeping them to himself.

Joseph’s life took a completely different turn than he expected when he was sold into slavery in Egypt. I wonder how much soul-searching he did during that time. Did he ask God “why” like I have? The Bible doesn’t tell us Joseph’s thoughts, but it does tell us his actions. Joseph was faithful in every situation he faced. He was a faithful servant, an industrious prisoner, and a wise second-in command to Pharoah. Years after his brothers sold him, Joseph finally understood why. God hadn’t made a mistake. He is intentional, even when our intentions fail.

I can’t claim to have suffered like Joseph did, but I can say that I now understand a little bit more about why those plans I made didn’t work out. God used me that summer to impact the lives of people I was very close to, people who have now gone on to be with him. And in the past five years or so, he has put me in the capacity to touch lives all around the world through a ministry I love and believe in.

Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Looking back, I can see that, yes it’s good to make plans and be intentional, but God knows us best, and his good plan may not look like we expect.

Dear Father, I don’t always understand life or the way you work. I’m so small and you are so great. Help me trust you and choose your way, knowing that you are all knowing and you intend my wonderings and sufferings for good. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Throughout this day: Is there a situation in your life, now or in the past, that you don’t understand? How can you trust God with the outcome of that situation today?

Here is a song I have been singing lately, about God using our times of suffering and waiting for good: Samantha Ebert - Flowers (Official Lyric Video)