Higher Ways - Martin Wiles

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah 55:8 NLT

“Joey’s not dead.”

When the grandkids are present—which is almost daily—conversations around the supper table ebb and flow. This particular time, our daughter told of a recent weekend when she introduced her oldest son to her boyfriend’s brother whose name is Joey.

“Levi, this is Chris’s brother Joey,” she said.

“From "Friends"?” Levi asked.

"Friends" is not only my daughter’s favorite program but also both of her sons because they watch it every night as they fall asleep. In fact, the television stays on all night and runs episode after episode.

“Joey died laughing,” our daughter concluded.

That’s when the oldest grandson assumed Joey had died. A perfect example of how easy we can misunderstand something someone says. The reason also why I teach my Language Art students to avoid clichés when writing. They may know what they mean, but others from a different region of their country—or from another country entirely—may not.

And then there’s God ways. Like my grandson, I have misunderstood something God said in His Word or not comprehended how He works in my life. That’s because His ways surpass mine and His thoughts often escape my grasp.

Knowing God’s ways and thoughts are beyond complete understanding isn’t an excuse for me not to trust Him as He works in my life. I walk by faith, not sight—and by trust, not total comprehension. My entire journey with God requires faith. If I had to possess complete understanding, I would have given up on God years ago.

God is God. And while I can recognize much of how He works, I’ll never comprehend the entirety of His plan. I can know He has a purpose in what He allows into my life. His plan includes my spiritual growth, as well as equipping me for the work He gives me to accomplish. Having the skills to complete that plan often requires preparation—and the way He chooses to prepare me is what I often don’t fathom. That’s where faith kicks in.

God’s ways are higher than yours, but He will reveal them in such a way that you can understand enough to obey and enjoy abundant living. 

Ask God for understanding so you can move forward.

Tweetable: What happens when you don't understand God's ways?

Prayer: Father, help us to know Your mind so we can do Your will.

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Don’t Know; Don’t Understand - Martin Wiles

I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. Job 23:9 NLT

Some things simply cannot be explained because information is missing.

Complex sentences are composed of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Like me being dependent on my parents until I reached legal status, the dependent clause is dependent on the independent clause. An independent clause has all the elements that allow it to stand alone: subject, verb, and complete thought. Dependent clauses are missing one or more of the necessary elements.

“When I was a young child” is an example of a dependent clause. The subject and verb are present, but important information is missing. If someone made that statement to me, I would expect more information. What happened when you were a young child? Since I don’t know what happened, the clause is senseless and fails to communicate.

Job was lacking information as well. He had faithfully served God but now experienced the loss of practically everything he had—and with no explanation. God seemed far away. Job’s questions received no answers. God had given him a dependent clause only but had not finished the statement.

Many things in life don’t make sense. A child killed in an accident because a parent was driving drunk. Natural disasters that steal the lives and property of innocent people. People living homeless because no one will offer them a job. Cancer. Other incurable diseases. Family members not caring for their elderly loved ones. Terrorist activity. A spouse lost to depression or Alzheimer’s.

Sin is the simple answer, but it doesn’t always provide comfort. Knowing sin is behind the cancer that killed their small child doesn’t take away the grief the parents face. Believing God is love and is sovereign is a better path to follow.

Many things in life are unexplainable. Some take comfort in thinking God will answer all our questions when we get to heaven—but He may not. Peace and abundant living comes from accepting that God is in control and knows what He’s doing, that He acts consistently out of love, and that His plan is always best.

Don’t let the unexplainable things of life throw you for a loop. God has them under His control. He will give you the strength to endure and overcome, even when you don’t understand.

Prayer: Father, when life happens in ways we can’t explain or understand, help us believe that You are in control and that Your plan is best. 

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