It Doesn’t Have to Make Sense
I’m a girl who likes things to make sense. Anyone relate? In all seriousness though, I like to have a reason, explanation and confirmation for everything. When trials come, I like to ask, “God, what is Your purpose for this? What are You trying to teach me?” Yes, that might be great and godly, but my motives, more often than not, are inspired by my desire to know the reason for everything.
At some point this week I was discussing with someone my struggle in a certain trial I was facing. This person encouraged me by telling me that trials are not necessarily bad; that they are for our good and for God’s glory. Though that is a wonderful thing to hear, my heart wasn’t ready to receive that truth. My response to that statement was “But how can this situation be for my good?? It doesn’t make sense to me!”
Her response wasn’t an “Aw, I’m sorry you’re struggling” or a “Well, sooner or later you’ll see the good in it.” No…the response I got just brought me to a halt. “Right” she said, “It doesn’t have to make sense. It is good that it doesn’t make any sense—that way you cannot lean on your own understanding.”
What could I say? She was right. She knows me all too well. I like to know things, because then I have something to lean on…my own understanding. God is teaching me that it is a good thing to be weak and dependent on Him. There is fruit when I trust Him with my whole heart. My reasons and explanations often turn out to be very different from God’s reasons and explanations.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither 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.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)
I’d like to encourage all of us to not hesitate before accepting the fact that we are weak and in much need of the Lord’s help in every situation we face; to not hesitate before softening our hearts and trusting our Savior whole-heartedly. What better place is there to be than in the arms of the One who saves?
”Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)
Filed under: Faith, Humility, Trusting God
This is true. Great post.
We will only find rest for our hearts when we realize that we don’t understand God’s ways or His plan. But so reassuring to know that it IS His plan……….
thank you, Riëtte. so very true =).
Great post!! That’s a really cool response that your friend gave you –
“… It is good that it doesn’t make any sense—that way you cannot lean on your own understanding.”
I love how when we are open to and learn God’s Perspective everything is turned upside down, it seems. And it’s so simple!
I’ve been going, “I just can’t do this well,” about several things in my life. But lately, God has been lovingly teaching me that this is a good thing. Because doing things “well” on my own is not really, truly doing things well — it’s not even adequate. It’s just human. It’s submitting to this world’s standards and limited expectations of exellence. As Christians, we are meant to do things supernaturally and in truly exellent and perfect ways. We are meant to abide in Christ and rest in Him and not do the work of our own accord, but rather let Him Work through us. We are supposed to “bring forth” His Will on earth as it is in Heaven. In the Bible He never said to “try” to do any of His Commands — He simply commanded that we do them. That means all that we need to do them is available to us (if we abide in Him — John 15).
Also, I love the last line you wrote: “What better place is there to be than in the arms of the One who saves?” Exactly!! May God bless richly bless you as you abide in Him.
I came across your website from the rebelution site. I have an 18 year old daughter in her first year at college. We also have three more at home…13,10,6.
I am so impressed with your beauty of humility… walking with the Lord through your younger years takes strength. You girls have done a great job of being heros for those choosing to walk with Jesus.
You and your friend are absouletly correct. It is ok that life dosent make sense.. It is the lord and his word that we find truth and sense in… Thank you .. from one very proud mom. Elizabeth
This is so true! God always does what brings Himself glory…and what is best spiritually for us. I can rest in that! My daughters and I love your blog! Great job, Ladies!
How right you are… I actually blogged about this yesterday, if you wanna check it out, follow the URL attached to this. The title of the post is “Worship in the Sense of Wonder”. I talks about how our human minds weren’t made to understand the vastness of God. I encourage you to check it out, mabye it’ll lend you some more help in the area that you’re struggling.
-Bee-