“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)
Frank awoke early from a restless, nearly sleepless night. His head and neck ached. His heart labored in a storm of uneasy confusion. He had tried to pray but peace eluded him.
Frank knew why. His church was getting a new pastor and he wasn’t ready for the old one to go. He was deeply hurt by the pastor’s decision to accept a new pastoral position. He remained calm outwardly, but he could barely be gracious about it.
He could think of several good reasons why this pastoral change should not happen. Fortunately, he knew his reasons were prompted by his emotions and pride rather than the Holy Spirit. He sighed and began praying again.
Not realizing that his prayer was audible, he was interrupted by his wife, who sat up on the bedside and said, “Frank, have you considered the will of God in this?”
The will of God. Her question nearly knocked him off the bed. Frank knew that he truly wanted God’s will to be done. He also wanted his own will to be God’s will. The two of course didn’t match. He remembered Christ in Gethsemane, “Not my will but thine be done.” Christ’s perspective and example changed everything.
Frank, smiled and went to the shower. He had just added inches to his spiritual stature by considering things from the Lord’s perspective.
Dear Father, thank you for a submissive spirit. Empower us to truly submit to you and acknowledge you in all our ways. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today by the Lord’s perspective,