When You Can’t See What God is Doing…
Welcome to the Overflow! Whether you’re an old friend or a new one, I’m glad you’re here. This is a place where faith is spilled and souls are filled. I hope you’ll make yourself at home and stay a while. If you like what you find, feel free to sign up on the side bar to subscribe to my blog, and I’ll send a trickle of inspiration in your in-box now and then.
Better yet, we could meet face to face! I’m scheduling speaking engagements for 2019 & 2020. I’d be delighted to bring a message of encouragement to a ministry event near you. (If you’d like to know more, contact me at overflow@aliciabruxvoort.net)
Today I’m over at Proverbs 31 talking about a little girl, a toppled tower, and a God who is always making something marvelous out of our messes. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, you can find it here. But before you go, I’d love to tell you how I’m finding faith to trust in a God who doesn’t always makes sense.
“I can’t figure out what you’re doing, Lord!”
Tears warped my vision a as I veered off the road and pulled into the safety of an obscure parking lot. I slumped against the steering wheel and let the hot drops fall freely as I tried to process the phone call I’d just received.
I texted my kids and assured them I was on my way home from the grocery store, but I knew that I couldn’t leave that parking lot until I could safely see past the blur of my own vision. More importantly, I knew I couldn’t take another step of faith until I could see past the blur of my own discouragement. A woman may be able to drive through tears; but she can’t run after Jesus with abandon when her watery gaze is fixed on her own aching heart.
Years before, I’d given the Lord a “yes” when He’d invited me to follow Him on an unlikely adventure. He’d whispered a promise to my heart and had confirmed my steps of obedience over and over again with peace, prophecy, and provision. For a season, I’d run hard and free, excited to be a part of the “immeasurably more” God was doing. I’d told God that I trust Him; that I was willing to follow Him wherever He leads. But I had my own unspoken ideas on where we were going, how we’d get there, and what it would feel like along the way.
Then, little by little, God began to script the journey differently than I’d imagined. The path to His promise was longer and harder than I’d planned. My road of obedience was filled with more potholes than I’d anticipated and more roadblocks than I’d expected. And to be honest, on many days, it felt like we were headed to the middle of nowhere, sitting smack in the middle of the wilderness, or trudging dizzying circles around the same frustrations.
To the human eye, my steps of obedience looked foolish; maybe even futile.
Yet God continued to urge, “Trust Me. Keep following.”
On my good days, I felt hopeful and persistent. On my bad days, I felt angry and confused. And on that day when the phone call interrupted my drive home from the grocery store, I felt helpless and stuck.
“God can you just explain what you’re doing?…” My question dangled above the hum of the idling engine, and my words spilled out in sync with my tears. I exhaled a bungling beggar’s plea. “Can you just give me a glimpse of how this is all gonna turn out?”
I lifted my head off the steering wheel and wiped the tears off my cheeks.I sat there in that parking lot and waited for the Lord’s reply to this desperate daughter’s prayer.
But there was no flash of lightning illuminating God’s brilliant plan. No thundering voice explaining his mysterious ways. Just a quiet thought impressed upon my haggard heart by the Holy Spirit.
“Do you want a God you can explain or a God you can extol?”
I took a deep breath and let a fresh revelation of God’s BIG-NESS wash over me. If we want a God who is big enough to do the impossible, we must allow Him to be incomprehensible.
Miracles can’t be explained. Wonders can’t be roped. Majesty can’t be measured. A God of immeasurably more doesn’t fit into our finite box of human understanding. But He fits our infinite need for a Savior.
We learn to rest in His mystery and marvel at His majesty when we seek to know the depths of His heart rather than strive to explain the work of His hands.
I thought of Abraham praising God beneath the stars even though he didn’t understand how he’d ever become the father of nations.
I thought of David praising God in the wilderness even though he didn’t understand why he was running for his life instead of sitting on the throne.
I thought of the Israelites praising God with a mighty shout even though they didn’t understand how the wall of Jericho would fall without a fight.
And suddenly, I realized this—
We don’t need to understand God’s ways to offer Him praise.
We don’t need to know what He’s doing to declare who we know Him to be.
We can praise God for His faithfulness in the midst of our confusion. We can thank Him for His kindness in the midst of our questions.
Because what we do know is far more important than what we don’t know…
God loves us and He’ll never leave us. He is for us and not against us. His word is true and His heart is kind.
So there in the parking lot on that disappointing day, I began to thank God for His goodness and his grace, his mercy and his creativity.
I thanked Him for orchestrating my steps and opening my eyes to His wonders.
I thanked Him for loving me more than I can comprehend and for working all things for good.
And as I praised, my disappointments shriveled in the light of my hope.
I pulled out of the parking lot and headed home with a trunk filled with groceries and a heart filled with peace.
The evening sky boasted stunning swirls of pink and orange as I turned the corner into my neighborhood.
My God of the impossible was painting the sunset once again. I didn’t understand how He did it– scattering breathless beauty across the horizon every night– but I knew this—it was glorious. Just like Him.
“Just as you’ll never understand the mystery of life forming in a pregnant woman, So you’ll never understand the mystery at work in all that God does”- Ecclesiasted 11:5
Friends, today I’m giving away a journal to help you as you develop a habit of praise. If you’d like to enter to win it for free, just leave a praise for Jesus in the comments.
For 7 years I lived in fear. The man I chose to marry was alcoholic and abusive, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I prayed for escape but year after year saw no way out into safety. It became increasingly impossible to find some way to escape because I had two small children to take with me. I was filled with despair. Then in the 7th year, God opened a way which I could not have imagined was possible. What seemed impossible to me was possible with Him. I took that opportunity, and found safety and peace. Today I live a life that is happier and more fulfilling than I could ever have imagined! I give Him my thanks and praise daily because God works miracles. He did for me and I know that He continues to work in my life and I see Him working everywhere for everyone. We are so blessed and loved beyond anything we can conceive! When I feel afraid or doubtful I remember this experience and know that things will be ok.
Great devotion! I praise Jesus for making all things new in my life 🙌🏼
Thanks so much for your writing. It helps me through so much, especially lately. Just want to praise the Lord, for answered and unanswered prayers. That I’m still alive and able to be with andnenjiy my family/kids another day and each day He gives me. I praise and thank Him for the wonderful gift of salvation, family and life. Thanks so much for this wonderful opportunity.
Just wanted to say how much I love ❤️ your writing ✍️, Alicia! You are so gifted and talented and you bring the true word of God right to us. This is just so appreciated! Going through a tough time in life. Had a hard weekend. But, you spoke right to me through God and told me that just because I don’t understand His plans right now, He is making and I quote, “something marvelous out of my mess.” I related to this so well! It’s exactly what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it. I thank God and you, Alicia so much! I get excited to see your name come up at Proverbs 31 Ministries because I know how good the reading will be. Can’t thank you enough! 🙏👍👋
Since August 2018, my husband and I have been living apart due to a job transition. While I admit I was quite reluctant to see His glory in this separation, I have to confess I have renewed my relationship with God and have immersed myself in His word. Had this separation not occurred, I think my path of reflection with Jesus may not have happened.
I thank God that he won’t let me down. He never has before, and I have no reason to believe that He will now. I praise him that He is God ….beyond my understanding, incomprehensible and yet He cares for me and my family. I thank Him that we can put our trust in the rock.
Thank you for this devotional! I’m trying to remember not to focus on my disappointments so much, and instead focus on the good in my life. I praise God for His faithfulness, and how He always speaks truth into our lives.
Jesus, I thank and praise You for continuing to love me through this difficult season of my life. Please strengthen my faith and give me Your perfect peace and help me to remember that You love me and are always with me, no matter what happens. Amen.
I praise Him for you, Alicia, and this beautiful message of encouragement. It was exactly what I needed today in the season of discouragement and questioning I’ve been in. When our blurred vision is clear enough to seek His love and wisdom, what peace we receive. Praise Him above everything, our soon coming King!
I would like to praise God for these wonderful devotions that seem like they are speaking to me! This one is so wonderful because it reminds me to be thankful even when I don’t understand His mysterious ways. Thank you, this devotion today was just what I needed!❤️
Wow. The words here were so beautiful. Thank you, Alicia!
I extol my Lord Jesus today in the midst of uncertainty and sadness.
I worship and thank God Most High for your unfailing love ❤️.
Praise
I praise the Lord for the way that He prepares the way, for laying a clear path before me with the tiny glimpses of His might and His power. I praise Him for making me His own and allowing me the opportunity to share my faith with others.
I praise the Lord our God for sustaining me through this trying time with two mothers who are in failing health! And for a wonderful Praisefest last Friday night!!! He is my rock and my redeemer through it all!!! Thank you, Alicia!!!
Thank you Jesus for the glorious ways that you work in and through your created. Thank you for pressing on my heart this morning to focus on forgiveness during this Lenton season. Love you💕Amen
I praise the Lord for He is (Isaiah 9:6)”(my) Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. He is my strength and my Redeemer ( Psalm 19: 14 b) His joy is my strength ( Nehemiah 8 :10 b) Psalm 20:5 a “We will rejoice in Your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners!”
I praise my great for loving me unconditionally and for being my loving companion every minute of every day!
I praise God for onetime Blogs like this. He knew I needed a word and as always, it was PERFECT. I praise God because everything that’s happening with me He already knew. Nothing (my trials, tribulations and yes even good/great news) is a surprise to Him. So I’m clinging to the One who knows all things, all the time and is always there through it all! Now that’s cause to say “You O Lord are Worthy of our praise! Blessed be Your name!”
Even if; seems it has become my most common words. I am so thankful He is the God of Wonders, of the impossible. On the hurting lonely days He is my Immanuel.
Jesus has led us to the perfect-for-us home after a long, sometimes hopeless feeling, wait! We close in a week! Thank you God! You always know best!
Praise the God of love, who loves me thru the storms of life that shake my faith . Though I fail and give up on life, HE never gives up on me and is always faithful. What an awesome God we serve. His love is beyond measure. I praise Him and thank Him that He knows me thru and thru and still loves me . How incredible is that!
I praise you Jesus for your faithfulness in the midst of my confusion!
Halleluiah!! I give praise be sure I have been doing my best to put God first , pray , believe, and praise praise!!..I thank God for everything in my life and things are getting Better. GOD IS SO GOOD ALL THE TIME!!
Good morning Father!! Thank you for my home and our children. Thank you for your grace of giving me another day. Thank you for my job and vehicle. Thank you for where you have me even though I’m so unhappy and lonely because life hasn’t gone the way I expected. Help me to keep my eyes on you and not my circumstances. In Jesus precious name, Amen
I want to praise Jesus for answering prayers in healing my mother in law this week. It’s been a rough week but God has brought us through it all the way. Thank you Jesus!
I give praise to Jesus for His everlasting love!
I often have doubts about God being real but I know it’s satan’s lies! And I know all he is trying to do is cause confusion.. BUT I Have my hope my life my all in God the author n finisher of my faith! Praise God! xx