For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

Earlier this week I was sitting on the Mile High Academy bus on the way to Walla Walla University for a volleyball tournament. We left Tuesday night at 8 PM, with the plans of driving through the night and making it to an IHOP for breakfast the next morning. I’ve done trips like this before and the biggest struggle is battling the expectation of getting good sleep. Around 3 AM myself and every other sponsor on the trip gave up those plans when we heard from the back of the bus the cry “We have a flat tire”. Limping down the road to the nearest exit we called a mobile repair company and waited. We waited and waited, nearly 2:30 hours later they arrived. In moments like this there is a temptation to be frustrated, disappointed, and discouraged. It would be a lie to say that I didn’t feel any of these things. Sitting there sleepy I realized that this would be a memory for these kids and the sponsor that would serve a purpose. We would look back on this night sitting in the loud teen-infested bus with a sort of fondness. There is a sense of control that we all have. We so often want to be in charge of ourselves and the situations we get into. The reality of this world is that we are not in charge. So how do we deal with disappointment? I won’t leave you deflated I promise, the Bible has hope. 

Before I get to the hope, as I was writing the opening paragraph somewhere in Idaho we lost another tire. Yes you read that right, a second tire in less then 12 hours was popped. Our 16 hour trip took almost 24. Now for the hope! 

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.  John 14:13-14

Our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. That's something we often quote to people who we think aren’t making the best plans. When it comes to our own plans that's not the easiest thing to accept. Jesus tells us that when we ask God for anything in His name that we will receive it. That means we can’t be that bad at making plans or deciding things right? Well yes and no. The caveat with what Jesus said isn’t that we can get whatever we want, it’s that we are asking in the name of Jesus. This isn’t just saying “in Jesus name” at the end of our prayer, it’s all about asking things in-line with the character of Jesus. 

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

So what does that mean for our deflated tires and hopes? When God says that His ways are higher than ours and that His thoughts are higher than ours we have to remember that His thoughts about us are higher than our own thoughts about us. No, I don't mean that God thinks so highly of us that we can do anything. What I mean is that God knows our potential and knows the plans He has for that potential. When it comes to our flattened dreams due to an unseen tragedy are taking into account the grand purpose God has for us? Despite the bumps in the road, are we keeping our eyes above? 

I know that my redeemer lives,

    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

 And after my skin has been destroyed,

    Yet in my flesh I will see God;

I myself will see him

    with my own eyes—I, and not another.

    How my heart yearns within me! 

Job 19:25-27

It’s not easy to look beyond the attacks of the enemy, it's not easy to believe that everything will be okay. Even Job wanted to give up hope and to die, but even Job knew that there was something he didn’t know, that there was a bigger picture and that he needed to trust that God knew what was going on. My prayer everyday is that God works His plans in my life and that regardless if I know the outcome I trust. I’m still learning to trust His plans and His thoughts. 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 

Nearly 24 hours later we rolled into the town of Walla Walla. The amazing thing was that at no point did I hear grumbling or complaining. We were tired and hungry but grateful. God had seen us through. As I am writing this we are preparing for a day full of games and team bonding. Regardless of bumps in the road we made it and we have God to thank for the safety He provided, it could have been much worse and yet it wasn’t and I thank God for His plans.