Humiliy is a condition of the heart. It is an open door to receive what the Lord has prepared. When we have a need, we ask, seek and knock and He answers, but the very way He does almost always does not fit into our own perception of His reply.

More often than not the answers may come in a seed form that has the power to transform us while journeying with Him as we wait for the manifestation of His promise. But we are rest assured that He will never withhold anything from us. We trust on His thoughts and ways that are higher than ours which are most beneficial for us.  This way we do not need to rock our brains to know how, but as we continually connect ourselves with Him, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us what is to come. He knows the end from the beginning, therefore, let our pursuit be on Him, the Blesser, and not on the blessing. Our needs are met according to His riches in glory IN CHRIST JESUS and never independent of Him.

We do not despise the little things that we see Him doing in our lives. With these little seeds is where our hearts are privileged to exercise gratitude constantly and consistently. When our little needs collide with His exceeding riches, it changes and transform us. They may seem insignificant in our minds but the effect in our hearts is above and beyond.

I was travelling home by bus from my friend’s province in which I planned to take the scheduled 6:00pm trip. I was kinda rushing to catch it but when I knew I couldn’t, I had to take my mind captive into resting to take the next one.

Sometimes when we are too set in our ways, we open ourselves to pressure. I was intending to take the 6pm bus for the very reason that I will be arriving home early and have ample time to rest before the busy week of work. But, when it did not happen, I had to convince myself that ALL IS WELL, and that ALL THINGS work together for our good. Gone are the days when I used to spend more time thinking of the “should haves” and the “shouldn’t haves” that pulled me down to being tired.  I learned my lesson well.  This time, I looked up, breathed in and acknowledged His Lordship in this situation, then JOY started to creep back in. Indeed, the JOY of the Lord is our strength.

When the time came for the next scheduled trip, I found out that the bus used was called “The JOY Bus!” Who says God does not have a sense of humor? Oh yes, He exceedingly has! This bus had better seats, but most of all it had a toilet.

So funny to think that in the middle of the trip I was desperate to use the toilet … only to take a leak, okay? hahahaha! I never knew it would come but He knew beforehand, thus, He made sure I will be taking this JOY bus! Oh how THANKFUL I was! How He met my need with His glorious riches was glorious to behold. Looking at this may seem so mundane but this is where we fine tune our hearts to encounter His exceeding goodness! Experiences like these put weight on our knowledge and revelation of how HOW MINDFUL HE IS OF US.  If it matters to us, it surely matters to Him.

So, when things do not go according to what we want, learn to REJOICE knowing and trusting that His plans are BETTER than ours.

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 AMPC

We may only discover His goodness, mercy and grace in the journey, but He makes sure that He makes known to us the path of life that He specifically ordained for us for a specific purpose and enjoy the pleasures that come with it.

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is FULLNESS OF JOY; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 NKJV

Living our lives with the awareness that He IS always with us puts our hearts to rest. “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply.” (Psalm 16:4 ESV) BUT “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.” (Psalm 16:8-9 ESV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for ordaining our steps safely, securely and pleasurably. Thank You, Jesus, for Your grace that allows us to experience and encounter Your goodness in this life that we live. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for opening our eyes to SEE Your goodness, righteousness and truth, leading and guiding us.  You always cause our hearts to be JOYFUL and THANKFUL every step of the way. Amen!

Photo Credit: Binky Tolegida