Your Ways are Higher

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says 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

I love this passage!  I can remember the first time that I really mediated on it.  It was at a Wednesday night Bible study in Morro Bay and Pastor Tonye was teaching through the book of Isaiah, a beautiful book!  This night in particular, this passage really stood out to me and I remember underlining it in my Bible and then writing it out on a notecard and taping it our bathroom window.  We were living in Cayucos at that time and it was before we even had thought about the possibility of being here.  But, God knew that I needed to memorize this passage and keep it close to me before beginning on this crazy fun journey to move countries.  And now, I constantly go back to these two verses and it comforts me to know that it's not my ways that are THE only way, but it's God's ways.  And His ways are far better than mine.  He is not confined to the small box I try to put Him in and when I show Him my options A & B, He throws in a curve ball and gives me something I would have never thought of on my own.  How great it is to serve a God who is not limited to my thoughts or my resources.  I was reminded again of these verses this weekend.  Through some funny events that happened, I was reminded again that just because I think I have things all figured out doesn't mean that's what God's plan actually is.  I think it's also a really good reminder of another reason why it's so super important to stay current with Him.  If we aren't, then we kind of go off and do our own thing and don't allow the room for God to move.  And we all know that when we take matters into our own hands, it's never pretty.  Look through the Bible to see some great examples of the mess people have made when trying to do things are their own!  On Sunday, the young kids we have for children's ministry weren't around so I sat in the service.  We are going through the book of Genesis on Sundays and at this point, we are where Jacob is going to meet Esau after all this time.  PT kept stressing that there are two different camps we could potentially be a part of.. God's camp or my camp.  When we start making our own decisions and loving the things of this world more, we are putting ourselves in the me camp.  But, when we allow God to move and guide is in His ways and love Him we are putting ourselves in His camp, a far better place to be in.  Again, being in His camp where He has unlimited resources, duh!  Of course I want to be in that camp.  Not to mention, all those verses that talk about not being able to serve two masters, you can't serve God and mammon.  I want to serve God and not fall into the worldly lusts.  When I put myself in my own camp I can't possibly be serving God because I am putting myself first and doing what I think is best for me.  It was such a great reminder to really search my heart and make sure that I have both feet in God's camp.  Right after that message I had a great chance to exercise this.  Was I going to allow my flesh to take over and freak out and get anxious - or - was I going to surrender to the Lord knowing that even though the plans I thought were working out were not and then trusting that God has even better plans!

May will mark out 2 year anniversary of being here in this amazing city!  I am so blessed to be here serving!  And, I am excited to continue on serving here!  As we hit this 2 year mark, we will be looking for new housing which is always exciting!  We know that God already as the perfect place for us picked out and we are excited to see where He will have us :)  There are so many options in the big city!  We are just praying for the right location for us and that the price will be right!  Also, right now as I write, Hubs, PT, and Lando are meeting with the man in charge of the church we are currently renting a room from.  This meeting is exciting because although he hasn't promised anything he mentioned that he would like to see if they can accommodate our growing fellowship.  Please be praying with us!  We had been looking into other accommodations, but God closed the doors on the other places.  So, who knows what He has in store for us!  It's exciting either way and I can't wait to watch as the next season of adventures starts to unfold before our eyes.

Thank you so much for your prayers and for taking the time to read my thoughts and our updates.

~Trista