I recently had an experience that reinforced this fact. A promotion came my way in less than 4 months of being employed at my current workplace. On review, the upscaling of the position was in the workings for 2 years before I would have joined the company. Additionally, it would have come for a position I was not selected for as the first candidate of choice.
Many would call this coincidence but I call it the unveiling will of the Lord. It was in obedience to the opportunities God provided that I moved in faith It was not my first choice, nor was I excited about the opportunity but I felt after much prayer that this was indeed the hand of the Lord.
I never anticipated what would have unfolded in such a short period of time
The Mystery of God
In Deuteronomy chapter 29 verse 29, the mysteries of God are spoken about. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
There are things that the Lord has yet to reveal to mankind, and will do so in His own time. We are not able to fully comprehend God and the way He operates. The scripture indicates that His ways are not our ways and His time is not our time, one thousand years to us is like a day to God.
Isaiah chapter 55 verses 8 and 9 says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
I emphasize this point to say, you may well be in the will of the Lord but have yet to see the full manifestation of His inner working. Don't lose hope, keep obeying and following after our Saviour. He is working it out for your good. Remember He is working within his own timing, soon, all the areas will align and you will see how He will unveil the whole plan.
Joseph is an apt example of this I believe. While in prison for 2 years he must have wondered if the dreams were even real. If the dreams God gave him would ever come to pass. Yet, as soon as he was released from prison, we see his ascension to power and God’s plan unveiled.
There needed to be a connection made through meeting the right person for God to put the plan into action. His encounter in prison would have proven to be part of the master plan. Rather every obstacle leading to that point would have formed part of God’s will and plan for Joseph.
Working for our Good
What I believe is the glue that holds the puzzle all together when it comes on to trusting God’s plan is to remember that He only has our good in mind. He does nothing to harm His people. Even in our denials, and our time of waiting He has the plan to build character, humility or faith in us, as He decides when to reward and promote openly.
Romans chapter 8 verse 28 explains this. It says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Often times the instructions of the Lord have been difficult to follow. In my own life, I have many times misunderstood the initial instructions or been unable to foresee the future consequences. I must admit, however, that His instructions have never led me astray and despite many of the consequences unfolding years after the decision to obey, they have led to rewarding circumstances.
Stay and Abide
God is the master planner.
He knows what lies before you and He is the one steering the ship. Who says that the ship won’t encounter storms while at sea? Who says you won’t get wet by the rains and burnt by the heat of the blazing sun? You may even get seasick on the way to the destination God has planned.
What matters, however, is that you stay within His will for your life. Trust and believe, that if you step out of His will, you may very well encounter these very experiences. The difference, however, is that you would not have the assurance that God was still in control and He knows exactly what He was doing. Instead, you would be left to your own power and understanding which I know you know will fail.
Stay the course. Continue to trust God and stay in the will of the Lord.
Dacia Miller from Jamaica, West Indies is a wife, mother and trained communicator who enjoys dancing. She is involved in youth ministry and loves to see lives transformed.