Agreement with God
Are you in agreement with God?
I would say, “Yes!” But then follow it up with, “Well, mostly—most of the time. Sometimes, I’m not. Sometimes, I don’t understand.”
Most of us can probably say we are in agreement with God – for His outcomes, but maybe not His ways.
Outcome: salvation for a loved one – but what if they have to hit rock bottom first?
Outcome: feeling His presence daily – but what if that’s learned only through going through extreme difficulty?
Outcome: complete peace and trust in God – but what if that is achieved through having to give everything over to Him because you have no control?
We want the outcomes God wants, just maybe not His ways.
But His ways ARE good. Even if they may not always feel good at the time. His ways are good because He knows us, and He knows the path we must take to reach the outcome.
He knows that left to our devices – our ways – we will take the easy route, the comfortable path, the one where our will is first, the one where we are in control, the one where He is pushed to the passenger seat. And He knows that our way most often doesn’t lead to the outcome He desires.
I experienced the mystery of His ways when my first husband walked out on our marriage and little family. We had a two-year-old and I was three months pregnant. No, not the path I would have chosen. It was a devastating path – for my heart, dreams, finances, and, I thought, for my future. But on that path, Jesus became my husband and my best friend. My Heavenly Father became my Provider and the Holy Spirit my Comforter. On that path, God gave me treasures of strength, peace, and joy that are solidly placed within me. That path led me to a loving, faithful husband and a home where my children were raised by Christian parents in a caring, stable environment—the outcome God wanted.
In my work at a faith-based nonprofit, we experienced the mystery of His ways with the threat of losing our charitable status because of potential government policy. We felt attacked, panicked, uncertain, and had no control over the outcome. Not the path we would have chosen. And we may still be on that path. But on this path, God has been faithfully by our side. The pressures on that path have made us a stronger nonprofit, built relationships with other Christian organizations, connected us with new supporters, and, most importantly, taught us to rely completely on Him—pretty good outcomes.
We must remember this when the path we are on, or a loved one is on, is difficult. Our ways are not His ways. But His ways are good. His ways are trustworthy. So we can be in agreement with Him – in agreement with both His outcomes and His ways.
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
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
What path is difficult for you right now?
In what ways have you been trying to control the outcome or get off the path?
What outcome can you release control of and give to God?
Is there anything God wants you to learn on this path?
When I’ve been on a difficult path, what has helped me the most is finding some scripture that speaks to my struggle and some worship songs that declare God’s goodness. You may already have some that have come to mind – verses and songs that have encouraged you in the past. If not, this is what is in my backpack on the path:
MY “MAP” (SCRIPTURE):
· The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
· I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
· But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
· His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3
· So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
· And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
MY PLAYLIST (WORSHIP):
· I Know (Big Daddy Weave)
· Surrounded (Fight My Battles) (Michael W Smith)
· Waymaker (Leeland)
· Yes I Will (Vertical Worship)
· Miracle in the Works (Bryan & Katie Torwalt)
· In Christ Alone (Mercy Me)
· How Great is Our God (Chris Tomlin)
· How Great Thou Art (Shane & Shane)
