Life God's Way, ALWAYS!

By: Mae Archila

Monday, June 9, 2025

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. 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

A few weeks ago, I was recovering from elective surgery. As I rested, God reminded me of these verses from Isaiah. I don't know about you, but most of us want things done our way. My priority for recovery was getting up, moving around, and doing the things I wasn't able to do for a while. But God’s plan for my recovery was different than mine! Honestly, moving in unison with God isn't always easy. Sometimes we think He's moving too fast, or maybe we think He's moving too slow. I know when my mobility screeched to a halt, I wanted Jesus’ healing NOW!

Then God led me to the story of Lazarus in John 11. When Lazarus got sick, his sisters sent for Jesus. They knew Jesus, and it would be safe to say He was a "family friend." But there was a delay, so Jesus didn't arrive for a few days. In the meantime, Lazarus died. But we know the story doesn't end there. Lazarus' family lost hope of seeing him again, BUT GOD! Lazarus' story is a great reminder of trusting God and trusting His perfect timing. It may seem delayed to us, but it's His timing, not ours.

“Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” John 11:39-40 (NLT)

God's delays aren't really delays. Waiting on God doesn't mean He's forgotten about us or doesn’t hear us. God may allow us to wait so He can prepare us, refine our character, and deepen our relationship with Him. Like Lazarus, He may be aligning our circumstances for His glory! God’s power and ability can bring new life to whatever we are facing. If we're saved, He's already resurrected us from death, but He may want to heal us physically, emotionally, or spiritually. When we're suffering, God knows. He knows exactly how we are feeling. He knows our joy and sadness, our happiness and grief, our confusion and suffering. He understands and has empathy for our feelings because He loves us so much!

Trusting God means trusting God’s timing. Trusting God means we stop relying on our own understanding. Following Jesus means being O.K. with "waiting on God." Just like He did for Lazarus, Jesus will arrive at exactly the right moment!