For my thoughts are not your thoughts

https://odb.org/2025/02/12/a-change-of-plans

Isaiah 55:8–11 (NIV): 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it
without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Sometimes, in the course of ministry, we do something as a response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. So, like today’s ODB life story, all preparations were already made, and funds were already collected for a mission trip to Africa. But at the last minute, the trip did not materialise. So all the monies they collected for air fares, accommodation, and other expenses, they donated to the people they were going to visit. In turn, those people constructed a building as a shelter for abuse victims. That building became a blessing and tower of strength for abused people. Perhaps the building was God’s plan after all. More so than the mission trip. Something real and tangible emerged from the funds. Or God could turn a disappointment (for those going on the mission trip) to joy (for those abused people). I’m sure the people who missed out on the mission trip would most welcome the news of the impact their funds in establishing that building.

God works in sometimes mysterious ways as His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. His word that goes out from His mouth will not return to Him empty (or void as in the KJV/NKJV). Some little things that we do will have an impact somewhere as God wills it. Like our RM50 offering. It may be small, but God is able to turn it into something impactful. Or our prayers for the nations, for the closed countries. God will work a miracle in their midst. Respond to His prompting and act. Even if our actions do not materialise, our response will have an impact on the spiritual and natural realms. Our response to the Word of God will not be in vain or meaningless. Something tangible will come out of it. Maybe we felt God was calling us to go full-time in the church. Instead, the door was opened for social work elsewhere in an NGO. God’s plans would still be achieved through our work in the NGO.

This morning, even if we feel that the Lord has plans for us elsewhere, know that God is able to make His plans a reality wherever we are now. Perhaps we may go elsewhere later. But for now, while we are where we are, let the glory of God flow through us. Our Lord Jesus Christ is constantly working in our lives, in our midst, even as we are transitioning into another phase. As we move on to another stage in our lives, He will still work in our midst, amongst us. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways! Isaiah 55:8.