“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
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.
As an intelligent and thoughtful human, I like to think I have some understanding of the world around me. While I realize there are entire fields of knowledge that lie beyond my current grasp, I am confident that, with enough time and effort, I could gain an understanding of them. And it is tempting to apply that same thought to God. While I don’t currently understand all that He is doing, if I work at it hard enough, I should be able to.
But this reminder in Isaiah is a good reality check. God is not like me in any appreciable way. Yes, I am made in His image. But the image of me on my driver’s license is only like me in a superficial way. And the same holds true for me as God’s image-bearer.
And it is important that I recognize that. I cannot expect to understand why He does much of what He does. No matter how intelligent or educated I am, I am still finite. And unable to grasp the infinite. God has a purpose in His creation that I only see dimly. And He is steadily moving His creation toward that ultimate purpose.
It is sometimes tempting to want to correct what God is doing or allowing. To give Him advice. As if I know better than He does. But how much better to simply trust Him to do what He knows is best. Even when it seems messed up to me.
Hey, Ed. I never do this on blogs or feeds, but I felt compelled to encourage you. I’ve been working through a lot of ego death in my intellect these last couple of years. This was an affirmation for me to keep my soul nourished through the passions of my intellect rather than attempting to shape it into submission with my certainties. It’s a delicate dance we take on in our faith, but it’s the most beautiful thing in the cosmos to chase the Holy Spirit out into wilderness. May Christ continue to be your guide as you meditate on His Word.
Be Blessed!
Thanks for your encouragement. I am thankful that God is using my small contribution in the lives of others.