Don't be Surprised

My husband is so full of wisdom. I am so thankful that he is my leader. Yesterday he said, "So many times we pray for change, but then we are surprised when things begin to change. God always answers our prayers, but we just don't always recognize the answer."

His words really stuck in my spirit. I pondered about the inherent infiniteness of God in contrast to the finite nature of humans. If we truly believe that God is Who He says He is, then we must trust Him. He is Creator. Although we may only see darkness, we have faith that it is just a black stroke on a canvas. Black strokes must exist to give overall contrast and meaning. If they were not there, the overall picture would not have depth or beauty. Take for instance Van Gogh's masterpiece, Starry Night. Imagine the painting with only cheery shades of yellow and calming tints of blue. Erase with your mind all the black etchings and strokes. This work of art would be nothing more than an incoherent piece with superficial meaning. It would have no lasting or historical value.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 2 Peter 3:8, "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." Our concept of time is sharply contrasted to the One who is not bound by time. Many of our struggles and disappointments originate from unfulfilled expectations based on a time table that our psyches have constructed. One definition the dictionary assigns to the word "disappoint" is "to fail to meet the expectations, hopes, desires, or standards of, let down." Our fleshly desire of "needing to know" will lead us to subconsciously superimpose our plan over God's plan.

Yes, God gives us dreams and visions, but we must allow the eternal Spirit to subdue our fleeting emotions through the revelation in Habakkuk 2:3, "For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry." I have always found this verse to be interesting. At first glance, there seems to be so many paradoxes in the Bible, but the truth is that they are only paradoxical from the paradigm of our finite nature. For example, this verse in Habakkuk says "...though it tarries....it will not tarry." I can only have complete understanding of this Scripture if I pair it in light with 2 Peter 3:8, "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."

God will oftentimes resurrect a promise or a dream, but our spiritual eyes are so clouded by the disappointments of yesterday, that we do not perceive the grace of today. I believe there were many that walked right past Jesus on the day of his resurrection because they could not see Him past their tears. If you have experienced sufferings and disappointments together with your spouse, take heart. You will one day look back and see how God artistically used them to strengthen your commitment and intensify your love for each other.

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