Our four year old grandson's favorite word seems to be "why."
I can relate. We both want to understand the world. We both see things that puzzle us. We ask the ones we think should have the answers.
But sometimes there seem to be no answers. Our grandson wisely moves on to the next thing to be explored.
I get stuck in asking the same "why" questions over and over again. I look at the suffering in the world and it seems pointless. I ask God, "Why?"
I look at my own suffering and try to find some greater purpose in it besides misery. I ask God, "Why?"
Sometimes in retrospect I am able to "mine the gold" and see some good that ultimately prevailed. But it usually takes awhile after the storm to see it.
When I seem to get no answers from God, I often turn to Jay. He gets to listen to my endless analysis of the situations.
One night I said, "I am sure God has a Purpose for everything. If I just understood His Purpose, then maybe I would be dealing with things better."
Jay said simply, "If you understood His Purpose, would you trust Him more or less?"
Good point. I realize basically I want God to agree with me. Many of my prayers are lists of what I would like Him to do and when I would like Him to do it.
Sometimes I get "prayer partners" and we "come into agreement" about what we think God should do. But sometimes, no matter how many we gather to agree on our petition, God insists on doing things His Way.
So as I continue to ask Him "why," He says, "Trust Me. I have a Plan."
When I say, "Great. What's The Plan?" He refers me to Jeremiah 29:11.
"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!"
God knows His Plan. He does not promise to tell us all the details ahead of time. But He assures us it is personal. He says, "It is for you."
He assures us His Plan will prosper us.
He assures us His Plan will not harm us.
He assures us His Plan will give us hope.
He assures us His Plan will give us a future.
When I try one more time to get details, He tells me even if He were to tell me, I would not understand. While He has a Plan for me, I am only a tiny part of His Larger Plan, which is far more than I can think or imagine.
He refers me to Isaiah 55:8-9.
"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."
He then asks me the same question He asks all of us.
"Do you trust Me?"
Trust in The Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His Will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
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