“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.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Recently I read a devotion centered on the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness when they cried out to God for daily provision of food. The point of the devotion was could they rely on God to be faithful daily, faithful for the small as well as the big. Could they depend on God to provide food? This same God who parted the Red Sea. But what occurred to me was the Israelites were probably not expecting manna from heaven. They were probably envisioning food similar to what they ate in Egypt, leeks and onions. Did God answer the cry and provide? Yes, but probably did not meet their expectation.
I recently experienced this. A few weeks ago, I prayed for safe travel to join my mission team to Moldova. Along the way, we experienced a flat tire while traveling through heavy traffic in pouring rain. I remember thinking why, I had asked for safe travel. And the Lord said, I did give you safe travel. When realized something was wrong, we were right at an exit where there was somewhere we could safely inspect the car and change the tire. There was also a place close by to hopefully repair tire. It was unrepairable but God also provided safe travel to my husband as he drove back home on the donut spare tire. My expectation of safe travel to Moldova also included uneventful travel as well. It was also not uneventful. We experienced several travel delays and I ended up traveling separate from the rest of the team. Was it safe travel? Yes, we all arrived safely.
How often do people miss God working on a mission trip because He does not meet their expectation? Were they anticipating doing particular thing, asked to do something else and were unwilling to be flexible? God is always working. But sometimes we miss out on it because He doesn’t show up like we expected.
The trip to Moldova had many surprises. I was anticipating supporting and ministering to Ukrainian refugees. I ended up staking trees on the grounds of the ministry center, which I was thrilled to do because I finally got to use my horticulture skills on mission. While not working directly with the refugees, my efforts will help create an inviting destination for many people in the future.
Our team was also invited to assist with a Samaritan’s Purse shoebox distribution. This was an exciting, unexpected opportunity. Just think, if we had not been flexible, we would have missed out on this rare opportunity.
And we had the opportunity to attend Will Graham’s Celebration, and witness God moving in the people of Moldova, and them responding to his call.
It was an amazing mission trip. Was it what I expected? No. But I did see the Lord working, and was a part of it because I was willing to be flexible.
Rainbows and Otter Pelt 