Issue 1424 – Unexpected – April 17, 2024
It has been fascinating to watch this small clump of tulips. The three flowers in the background started blooming the same yellow as the two in the foreground. I was surprised as they slowly changed colour to a mix of yellows and oranges.
One day, the orange tulips opened their petals until they were nearly as flat as saucers. The first time I saw that happen, I thought the display was over and the petals would soon drop off.
To my amazement, the petals closed back up again at dusk. They have been repeating this cycle for days. Now, I am keeping an eye on the yellow tulips to see if they are the same.
The orange tulips turned out far differently than I had expected, much like the old adage about not judging a book by its cover. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most beautiful transformations happen when we least expect them.
God often works in ways that surprise us. Sometimes, those ways show up as delightful and unexpected blessings. Other times, He seems to delay His arrival far later than we think He should or answer prayers differently than we hoped.
Yet, knowing the character of God, we can trust that His way is the best, His timing and answer is always perfect. We might not always understand that truth in the process.
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
Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. Habakkuk 1:5
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counsellor?” Romans 11:33-34
Don’t be fooled by appearances. God is at work behind the scenes, no matter what things might look like. We are not called to understand everything fully. We could not do so. If we could understand everything god does, He wouldn’t be much of a God.
We are, however, called to trust Him, and He has proven Himself to be far more than merely trustworthy. He is all-knowing (omniscient), all-powerful (Omnipotent), and ever-present (omnipotent). He is the creator and sovereign ruler of all that is.
On top of all that, He loves us beyond measure and wants nothing but the very best for us.
Not all things are pleasant, but God knows and is at work.
Praise his name in all circumstances.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)