Recently, my best friend from college’s father died. As we talked and I offered my condolences to him, I began to remember how I felt when my father died a little over 20 years ago. Four months later, I would also lose my mother, who I thought would stay alive until I died. No child wants to watch their parents die.
All of this loss happened while I was still navigating living my new life as a disabled person with a brain injury. I wanted to be restored and in control. During that time, I had to fight the urge to become bitter and angry with God. Why wouldn’t I be mad? I had lost my health and dreams and now God was taking my parents who had supported me away from me. My life had changed drastically.
Although I was alone, I never felt lonely or alone yesterday, today & tomorrow. I remember going to a special place to pray and lean into God whom I discovered in college. It was there God reminded me that His will isn’t always easy, nor does it always make us happy (Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 55:8-9).
Trusting God is more than a one-time decision, it is a daily choice to surrender our will and plans to God (Proverbs 16:1-33). We will certainly not always understand God’s will, but we can trust that He is working things out for our good, even in the hardships we suffer (Romans 8:28). Even in the silence, God is working.
God’s will is often misunderstood by God’s people because we forget His ways are not like ours (Psalm 147:5, Ecclesiastes 11:5). Even with God’s Word, His people have often pursued their selfish wants and will. We are all broken and sinful people; even God’s people have sinful natures. We must battle and repent. Welcome to being human.
Hallelujah, we are each saved by grace; we cannot save ourselves or cleanse our hearts and spirits of the evil inside (Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 1:18). In our pride, we think that we know what is best for us when we are only mere humans.
If you have ever lost a family member or loved one, then you understand just how temporary this life is. There is no getting better or coming back from the grave until Jesus ushers in the next life (Isaiah 26:19, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 1 Thessalonians 4:16). It is our sinful and finite nature that inhibits us from seeing things from God’s perspective.
God’s perspective is much different than our human/finite perspective. We tend to focus more on the here and now because our flesh is temporary (Ecclesiastes 12:7, 2 Corinthians 5:1). God sees the bigger picture Because He isn’t bound by time or space (Jeremiah 23:24, Romans 1:20, Colossians 1:17). He knows BETTER than us.
Like our Jewish forefathers, we tend to focus on a temporary kingdom and believe that it is God’s focus also; however, we are both wrong because God’s focus is much bigger than our selfish wants.
God focuses on a Heavenly Kingdom that will last for eternity (Luke 18:36, 2 Timothy 4:18, Revelation 11:5). Because of their thirst for earthly greatness and power, they missed God’s will and the promised Messiah (Luke 17:20-21, Romans 14:17).
Our sinful flesh is never satisfied and always wants more (Proverbs 27:20, Galatians 5:24, Hebrews 13:5). Even when we do get what we want, we eventually want more. Not only do we not understand God’s will, there are times we simply aren’t ready for it or the blessing of it. Like any child, we must grow and mature in our faith.
We forget God’s timing isn’t like ours, but it is always perfect (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2 Peter 3:8). I often want to go for a bike ride in the country, but know that it is better to wait on God’s timing because I hate getting caught and inclement weather.
Over the years, I have learned it is best to wait, instead of rushing into what I want in life. We all had relationships that we are thankful God did not give them to us. In hindsight, we learn to trust God’s timing and are grateful things weren’t His will, He deserves our gratitude.
We also face hardships again & again that God allows to break and change us as part of His will, we endure the refining process (Proverbs 17:3, Zachariah 13:9). Deep inside we know God is working in the SILENCE, and there is something He is preparing for us to accomplish His will.
The older we get the more we realize, sometimes we must wait for God’s will so that He can prepare us for His perfect plan (Jeremiah 1:5; 29:10-13). The man I am now isn’t the person I was 25 years ago or even two years ago. God’s plan and will are fulfilled in His time, not ours.
God prepares us through the hardships of life and the natural aging process as we look upon the Lord. What we want doesn’t happen either because it isn’t God’s time or God’s will!!
