Friday, July 19, 2024

God’s Ways and Plans Are Bigger

When we walk with the Lord it is supposed to be with purpose.  Scriptures teach us that the disciples followed Jesus with and for a purpose – God’s purpose.  All along Jesus had a plan, but they only learned about it one step at a time.  If they were not walking with Him daily, they couldn’t have known the next course of action to take.  They would simply be guessing what God wanted them to do with the information and skills learned through their “teacher” and Master.

Becoming a teacher was part of God’s plan for me, but His vision was larger than my dream.  His ways and plans are bigger and better than I even thought of or imagined. 

“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 55:6-9 NIV)

My thinking consisted of having a great classroom where I could use my creativity, and help students learn the skills needed to achieve their hearts desires.  What else was there?

For all I knew, I would be at the same school for my entire career and be happy to boot in that little world I set in motion with my limited thinking.  That wasn’t God’s plan.  My dream lacked vision beyond the boundaries of what I could think or physically see.  Oh, ye (meaning me) of little faith, or no faith if I were to be truthful.

Not only did my dream of teaching lack vision, but also purpose to do things beyond my God given abilities.  You know what I mean … vision to do the greater things Jesus talked about that we would do with His help and the power (favor) of God.

Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14 NIV)

The problem is, I never asked!  I needed little or no faith really to go to college and walk out the things I knew to do.   Register for college, somehow come up with tuition for each semester, get transportation and go attend classes – that’s about it, right?   Why would I need God to do the things I could do on my own? 

Praying consisted of me asking God to bless my plans and make things work out the way I wanted.  I didn’t have a true purpose other than I liked the things that went along the lines of what a teacher did.  Therefore, go to college – become a teacher.  Not once did I ask God if this was part of His plan, even though I knew what the Bible said on the subject.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” (Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIVUK)

All along I was planning my way, disregarding the fact that God already had a plan that included prosperity, hope and a good future that protected me from harms way.  Why didn’t I take the Word of God seriously from the beginning of my career?  If I had understood how God keeps His promises (of and through favor), I would have kept in step walking more closely with Him.

Until next time, God’s favor always has a purpose! 

 “Favor has purpose.”
Jesus Christ 

Isaiah 55:8 Image: Bible Unframed Print

Encouraging excerpts from the series "When Purpose Overrides the Dream".

Encouragement for the Journey: Click on link below.

The Call: Finding and Fulfilling God’s Purpose for Your Life by Os Guinness

 AMAZON


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Note: When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives. 

Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.  Any reference to satan or devil are not capitalized intentionally.  Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.

Unless noted, scripture reference in series was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway. Image Creative Common License if not specified.   

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