"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For 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)
The universe is a complex and complicated venue. The next time you are out under the stars take the time to look at them and reflect on the fact that God knows each and every star by name (Psalms 147:4). How many stars are there, by the way? I have learned a few dozen of them in studying astronomy, but I would not even begin to memorize even the stars that are commonly visible to the naked eye (which number in the thousands). In Job 38:31, God asks Job, “can you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades or loose the bands of Orion?” The Pleiades (see picture above) is a star cluster in the constellation Taurus and Orion is a beautiful winter evening constellation. Careful study of the Scriptures reveals to us a God of immense complexity, who uses complicated (to us) methods in carrying out His will for the universe and all that is within it. He has established that the universe is His, He cares deeply for it and us, and nothing escapes those facts. You could say that the Lord is capable of multitasking beyond our comprehension.
Recently, Father Michael used a phrase in one of his sermons, “He is God and you are not”. That is a great summation of this whole matter, which Isaiah recorded in the scripture quoted above.
The fact is, as God, He can see all things as they really are and also know where all things in history are headed. What seems like a setback to us, can become an extremely important part of a puzzle which leads to an enormous success in some future time, place, or person. To the Christian who is dwelling and abiding daily in the Lord, this is so important to keep in mind as we go about living the “roller-coaster” of life, with all of its ups and downs. Some people see the Lord’s ways as too limiting or too old fashioned. The truth is, His ways never change, even though we might not perceive His consistency (faithfulness). As much as some folks try to rebel against this consistency of God’s nature, down deep inside we all want and need something in this life we can depend on; much like a child needs to be able to rely and trust in a faithful parent. The Lord and His promises are the very bedrock of existence that can be counted on never to change even though human generations come and go.
Now this all leads us back to trying to grasp the practical ways that God carries out His plans. In the very life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we see examples of God bringing together good, bad, disturbing, and finally glorious pieces of His salvation plan for mankind. Even the prophecies of Jesus in the Old Testament give us insight into this enormously complex redemption plan, which took thousands of years to implement. The great news is that God is able to bring together untold countless pieces of a puzzle and turn it all into something beyond comprehension.
To better understand the divine complexity of our Lord’s ways, I’ll use the NASA engineering term: “converging on a resolution”. The space shuttle is sitting on the launch pad as I write this reflection today. It is an enormously complicated piece of engineering. When NASA engineers are working technical issues with the vehicle, I have heard them use the phrase: “ we are converging on a resolution”. Basically, the engineers are saying, “we are on top of the issue(s), so don’t worry, you will see it all come together in the successful resolution to come”. It means that you can have confidence in the midst of uncertainty, even though there are many issues that need to “come together”.
Beloved, life’s issues can seem extremely complex and unsolvable at times. If you have put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, my encouragement for you today is that you are the most precious thing in the universe to its Creator. If you encounter these complications in life, call out to the Master Creator. Sometimes all you might be able to pray is: “help!” That’s good enough for Him to begin to work issues in your life to “converge on a resolution”, whatever your situation may be. Remember, His ways are higher than your ways, and yet His eye is on the little fragile sparrow and He cares so very much for you.
Have a Blessed Day!
George
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