“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” declares 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.

 

Sometimes the actions of children lead their parents or other adults to ask, “Why would you do that?” The actions of a toddler to make a masterpiece with permanent marker on the wall, put mommy’s makeup on to get ready for the day, or roll in mud on a rainy day often baffle adults. Sometimes this is just a matter of limited perspective—they saw the pen and wanted to draw, they wanted to put on makeup like mommy, or they just wanted to play outside, no matter the weather. Toddlers cannot see past their own perspective, limited life experience, and limited understanding of natural consequences. A lack of impulse control leads them to take unwise actions in a moment.

We know our thoughts are not toddlers’ thoughts and a toddlers’ ways are not our ways, but more significantly, God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways higher than ours. By comparison, we are the toddlers ready to write on the wall compared with God’s perspective and wisdom. He always knows the best thing to do and way to live because He designed, created, and sustains all of life, including us. We may feel like the masters of our own destiny or the experts on our lives, but God knows not only the way of humanity in general, He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we need, even when we don’t. We can surrender to Him because He is trustworthy and will always act for our best.

• What is scary or intimidating for you about submitting to God’s ways?
• How can you learn God’s ways further? Why is it important to settle with the fact that we will never fully know God’s ways?
• Pray and ask God to help you know His ways and surrender to His direction today.