“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine."

Isaiah 55:8

This is not a new story, but one that should be shared and remembered. Here is my abbreviated version:  There was man who lived in a house on a river. After many days of heavy rain, the river began to flood. Although encouraged to evacuate, he ignored the warnings and believed that God would take care of him. As the river continued to rise, neighbors came with life rafts, but he said, “No thank you, God will take care of me.” As the waters rose higher, he climbed to the rooftop. A boat arrived with others on board begging him to jump in, but again he declined the invitation. He proudly shouted, “No! God will take care of me!” Finally, the Coast Guard sent a helicopter to rescue him, but the man still refused to leave his home. He could barely be heard, over the roar of the helicopter, shouting, “God will take care of me!” Sadly, the water continued to rise and the man drowned. When he got to heaven, he asked God why He let him die when he had such faith that He would save him. God told him, “I sent you a life raft, a boat, and a helicopter. You refused My help!” 

When God calls us to “get in the boat”, we often miss Him. We wait for Him to do His part, then we shake our fists at Him for doing things His way. He answers our prayers in many different ways, but His “life rafts” don’t often look like the ones we expect. How easily we forget that most of Jesus’ life on earth was unexpected! God’s ways are not like our ways, and for that, we should be deeply grateful.

Jesus’ goal is not to meet your expectations; it is to exceed them in ways that you can’t possibly begin to understand. He sees the big picture of today, tomorrow, 100 years from now…and eternity. Keep your eyes and your heart open to His infinite possibilities, so you won’t miss His blessings. And when He reaches for your hand, let Him pull you into the boat. You are loved!