May 18, 2021 – Reflection on “God’s Way!”
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.
As I read these verses, I see it in the first verse of the Bible. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1. I remember a conversation in her flower garden with my Mom while she held a bloom in her hands. I asked, ‘Why do you like flowers so much?’
Her answer astounded me then, and I think of her as I look in wonder at the creativity and beauty God creates in a single flower. “Because God created flowers!” Each time I receive a bouquet, I praise God. The Calla Lily plant, a Mother’s Day gift, surprised me. One stem with a beautiful pink bloom reached out to me. It was a message, for God continually reaches out to each of us with His Love and Grace.
In 1980, my Mother at seventy-four years, widowed for a year, produced 3 hand-written books for my two brothers and me with memories of our early lives. She wrote several of her original poems in these books. After my husband died, 3 years ago, I found the book again and discovered a poem that touched my heart. I hear her laughter; I see her tears, of her remaining nineteen years of life. What a treasure to turn my eyes upon Jesus.
God’s Way
When I allow the Lord to chart my way, He shows me wondrous mercies on display.
He brings me storms on days of quiet retreat, my plans to sit, find me on flying feet.
He sends pure joy through times of trying tears, and wraps my life in courage that quells
my fears,
At times He rouses me from reveries or shrouds my days in deepest mysteries.
His soothing Peace. When enfolds each dismal hour, when weakness strikes, I feel His surge of Power.
Then do I fear tomorrow’s untried ways? Oh, no! I greet each day with Songs of praise! (Author—Anna Daisy Siemens)
So, we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8.
God has big plans for us, and when our planning our desires is thwarted, I remember this verse: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11.
He shows me wondrous mercies on display… The beautiful verses from Lamentations 3:21-23, give continual hope. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Is this why each new dawn is filled with praise-filled hope and uncontainable joy fills my heart?
How can I forget these verses from Romans 12:1-2? I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Even during trying times of pain, isolation, or separation, trusting Him brings pure joy as God wraps each moment in courage that quiets my fears. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7.
Whatever we fear—this verse gives us something to think about. I John 4:18a: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us.
Fear is losing hope and the joy of trusting and loving God.
Have you ever wondered why the grass is green, why birds only have one song to sing, or how squirrels glide through the trees effortlessly? Or perhaps, you wonder with me, how can God love me? The mysteries come and go when we consider the endless Power of our Lord God. One of my favorite verses causes me to relish the sound of thunder.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. Psalm 29:3-5.
In the middle of helplessness, terror and the end-of-the-rope feeling, there is nothing as great as realizing that Jesus the Giver of Peace loves us and we can hold on to Him. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father for the Father is greater than I. John 14:27-28.
My favorite way of going to bed is to stop by the window and see the stars that assure me God is watching over me. The first thing in the morning is to review the prayers of my friends and family as I sit down to write a Snippet about God’s Way of living. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:2-4.
And with my Mom I greet each day with Songs of Praise! Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Psalm 95:1-3.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13.