His Ways Are Higher Than My Ways
This past week was trying on my soul. Actually, the past couple of weeks. I had a brief reprieve; it felt like over June, and then things shifted dramatically as I worked my way through July. As the month closes, I can tell you that God’s plan far exceeds my own. It’s easy to get down when things look different than what you built up in your own mind. Surrendering to the Lord means we obey whether blessings overflow or we are going through a round of testing. If there’s one thing I learned from reading the book of Job is that testing still shows God’s glory. We may not be able to see why He tests us in the middle of it, but He is a good Father, and that testing produces endurance, discipline, character, hope, and faith if we keep praising and surrendering during the highest of stress.
I’ve found the joy of the Lord has to remain whether your bank account reads $4 or $4,000. What the Lord gives, He can also take away in a flash. Sometimes it’s out of our own disobedience, but other times He’s trying to see our heart posture. Are we able to move with the same integrity whether life is easy or challenging? During these times I try to lean into Him even more. Reading more of His word. Singing even louder praises. Listening intently for His whisper and commands over my life. Over the past few weeks He has commanded me several times to approach strangers and pray over them. All but one said yes, and then I passed the same gentleman at a later point, and God had me reapproach Him. That time the man allowed me to pray.
The times I’m asked to pray over someone, it’s always awkward for me at first. I’m slightly introverted, so approaching a stranger to do so feels so radical. But God sent me to free captives. Just like in Isaiah and again when Jesus quotes the same scriptures from the prophet. Prayer is freedom. Prayer has power. Prayer changes lives and gives hope to the desperate in desolate places. Obedience to the Lord oftentimes feels so inconvenient, but remember He is our Creator and it’s the least we can do. Sometimes He puts people and things directly in our path to slow us down. His timing is different than ours. So the next time you feel the nudge, listen to him. Maybe the Lord is nudging you to give up something. Maybe He’s asking you to surrender. Maybe He’s saying,” You don’t know better, stop acting like it.” Or maybe He’s telling you to let something you really love go. Whatever it is, remember… He has a plan and purpose for your life. When you surrender, you can abide in Him, and His plan is always much higher than ours here on Earth.
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