“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.”

(Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)

For my grand daughters fourth birthday we went to Jurassic Forest, a theme park about 45 minutes from our home. As we walked along the various paths searching out and discovering life size, animated replicas of numerous dinosaurs I noticed something else. The whole area was built on a woodland swamp. The paths were raised boardwalks above the swampy water, while the woods lent the perfect staging place for the lifelike dinosaurs. The boardwalk also sported information signs and pictures of resident plants, insects and small mammals who thrived within the swampy area.

Wow, I thought to myself. Where most people would have written this property off as basically useless wasteland, one person had seen a much higher and wider vision. What was useless to most, was a marvelous opportunity to another.

Sometimes we too can only see our own situation or a situation which lays ahead of us as difficult, useless or hopeless: a swampy unappealing wasteland of life which we wish we could navigate around, over or under. God however is calling us to go through it and with the guidance of His Holy Spirit who is able to give wisdom freely to all who choose to call upon Him for help, we too can have our hearts and minds and eyes opened to see opportunities which we may never have seen before. Opportunities to learn and grow and shine for God’s kingdom as we are led to think outside the often-narrow box of humanity and discover a whole different way of looking at our situation: God’s way.

Let us therefore endeavor to be prepared to have our thoughts and ideas and ways stretched by the One whose thoughts are not our thoughts, whose ways are not our ways. By so doing our swampy situations may become magnificent opportunities. Opportunities that will not only change our lives for the better but also the lives of those around who will be amazed and encouraged to see just what God is able to accomplish amidst the most unlikely situations.

Prayer: Father God, thank You that when we are stumped. When we don’t know what to do amidst swampy situations, You do and You are able and willing to assist us by opening our hearts and minds to ways we have never thought of or even dreamed about. Help us to remember this and be quick to turn to You to see opportunities instead of wastelands. In Christ’s name we ask. Amen.

Lynne Phipps