Thoughts

"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.

As the rain and snow come down from heaven, 

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it..." Isaiah 55:8-11

I've struggled (and still in the process of) with this passage for the past day or so. 

It's one of those passages that I've come across time and time again, and each time, it seems to convict me stronger. Although I would say that it is one of the passages that I hold dear, I've forgotten about it and haven't come across in in a long time. 

But oh what timing... 

How often do we hear only our voices within our heads? our voices of pride, selfishness, ignorance, doubts, fears, insecurity that are masked so often by a false sense of righteousness, portrayal of independence, and self-proclaimed "i'm ok". How often do we realize that our thoughts are not all that we are to consider, but rather, we should be seeking God's? 

I've been ignorant of God's voice, His thoughts. I've been consumed in my own. I've forgotten just how much greater is his and his ways. Why do I try so hard on my own?

This passage struck me in a new way today. His thoughts and ways are not only much much loftier than mine, but at the end of it all, it is HIS thoughts, HIS ways, and HIS words that will be brought forth into being. Hence, my thoughts and ways are useless in comparison because in the end, His desire and purpose will be accomplished... not mine. 

And that is a promise. It's painfully humbling but hopeful.