“Things are not as they seem…”

Week of April 17, 2011

Relevant:

“Things are not as they seem…”

Isaiah 55:8-9

Once while on a trip with my family, the check engine soon light came on in our car. I didn’t think much about it until we started on the trip home. We hadn’t gone 5 miles before the car began to act up. I wasn’t going to take a chance. I took my family back to our relatives’ house and then took the car to a repair shop that had been recommended to me by an auto parts store. The initial indications revealed a potentially costly repair…well over $600. I was a bit discouraged but rather than get upset, I realized there wasn’t much I could do about it and began to pray and ask God to reveal why I was there. I knew there was a reason, I just felt it. After replacing the components that the computer scanner said was defective, the problem codes remained. It was somewhat comical as I told the shop owner just a few minutes earlier that it would be funny if after 4 hours of work the problem remained. It did. Come to find out, after some further diagnostics and voltage checks, the problem was found…a blown fuse. Needless to say, the repair was not as costly as anticipated. And even though every indication and troubleshooting result said one thing, the actual problem was something completely different…and much more simple. The mechanic was embarrassed but there was no need. He did all he knew to do and followed the obvious path resulting from what the indications told him. During my time at the shop and through our conversations, I realized he was a man of faith…affirming that I was there for a reason. To make a long story short, as we were wrapping up I was able to share with him about Servant Warrior Ministries, give him some Full Armor prayer cards that he could pass onto others, and hopefully gained a new friend. Why did all this happen? Why that shop and not another? I still don’t know. I hope that one day I find out. One thing I do know is that it was God working in and through me that kept me from losing my cool. Additionally, I am pretty confident that what happened at the end of my 5 hour visit to the repair shop would not have happened or would likely have had no impact if I hadn’t been open to God’s prompting and whisper…realizing that all was not what it seemed.  We never know how God will orchestrate and use circumstances. We just have to always be ready.

Challenge: None of us know the future. Nor are things always what they seem. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “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 higher your your thoughts.” Every day, it seems, we face trials and challenges that often generate an initial response but when all is said and done render our first response inappropriate or unwarranted. I am one of the world’s worst at reacting before everything plays out. The challenge this week is to allow things to play out, especially those that have the potential of being less than optimal, and ask God to show Himself and His will through the circumstance. Trust me. You will be amazed at the result…and at His faithfulness.

Prayer: Lord, I am so grateful your plan is perfect…and for your forgiveness. I need your help as there are times that my reactions are dictated by the immediate issue or issues in front of me rather than how you are using the issue or issues in furthering your will. Lord, please give me perspective and discernment as I never want to miss an opportunity or hinder your work through me…because of me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Visit www.servantwarriorministries.org. Servant Warrior Ministries is a Real…Radical…Relentless…Relevant movement to reach men of all ages, where they are, and share with them the love of Jesus Christ.