“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)

When God orders our steps, they are nothing less than HIS BEST!

When we have plans to travel, we normally have a proposed itinerary so we can enjoy a well-organized and enjoyable journey.  As much as possible, we go by that plan of action to maximize our stay in that particular place.  But, there are times changes and detours occur which cause discouragement to us.  I’m pretty sure you, too, can well relate to this.

Today, I read a testimony of our Lead Pastor Mylene who planned and eventually went to Busan, South Korea to ride the famous Blue Line Park Sky Capsule to witness the breathtaking sunset view.  So, on that trip, she booked their tickets and made sure that time slot was at 5:30pm, when the sun would set by the ocean.

She said, “Well, things didn’t go as I hoped it would.  When we got to the station, there was a long line of people waiting to get into the sky capsule.  I looked at my watch and it was almost 5:30pm.  Needless to say, I saw from the corner of my eye the sun starting to set and it was still a long way before our turn.  I wanted to cry, disappointed that we would miss this beautiful experience.  By the time our turn came, it was past 5:30pm.  The sun had already set.  When we finally rode the capsule, I was resigned to not seeing the view that I was looking forward to experiencing.

Imagine my surprise when the sky capsule moved from the station into the open air and I saw the spectacular view in front of me.  Not only did we see the beautiful orange hues of the final stages of the sunset, but as the sky darkened, we witnessed the lights of the city start appearing and shimmer in the distance.  The Skywalk Station started to light up and change colors every few seconds.  It was breathtaking.  It was perfect time to ride the sky capsule.  If we had gone earlier, we would have missed seeing the sun kissed horizon give way to the night and treat us to the beautiful array of lights.

As worship music played in the background, I started crying.  I felt God tell me, “Mylene, sometimes you don’t understand when things don’t go the way you thought it would. You thought you missed out because you rode the sky capsule late.  Trust My timing, not yours.  My plans are always better.  My ways are higher.  Your destiny, and its timing, are in My hands.”

Oh wow!!! What a beautiful testimony.

Testimonies of others that point us to our own personal monumental and significant experiences similar to theirs are so powerful.  They stir our hearts to go back how we tasted and seen God’s goodness at that particular time.

Monuments, by dictionary, represent people, events, or ideas that are important or notable. They can be buildings, statues, or other structures that are meant to be a lasting reminders of something.  Testimonies are likened to monuments.  They become lasting remembrance of God’s goodness and faithfulness in our lives and the lives of those around us. More so, the testimony of Jesus is a spirit of prophecy that when spoken and shared it prophesies to those who have ears to ear and hearts to receive.

In 2018, I traveled to Sydney primarily to attend Hillsong Conference.  Since it was my very first time to be Australia, my friends and I listed some places to visit which is common to first timers.  One of the specified tourist spots which was a must for me was the Sydney Tower Eye.  You see, I’ve been to many towers, CN Tower in Toronto, Tokyo Skytree, Auckland Sky Tower, N Seoul Tower, Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower to name a few, but I did not have the chance to go up and  see what it’s like to be on top.  I was around them, took photos beside them, but had never gone up to one of them.  So, this was the first for me. And mind you, this was a treat by my good friend, Mylene. Hmmmm, isn’t it an added wonderful testimony that their names are identical … our Lead Pastor’s name who gave the testimony and the one who blessed me with this Sydney Tower Eye experience that ushered me into this testimony? The Lord has given me a “double reminder”! I better not forget hahaha!

Due to our full schedule, to arrive at Sydney Tower Eye at sunset time was no longer possible and that was without considering the queue.  I was kind of disheartened because I am an opacarophile, a sunset lover. With my expectations that were heightened by merely thinking of it, it was indeed a disappointment.  Yet, I did not say anything, but I just went with the flow while we were on our way.

When we reached 250 meters above Sydney streets with the 360-degree views of the city, the unrivalled scene of the final stage of the sunset awesomely caught me by surprise.  My heart was so warmed, overwhelmed, full of joy and thanksgiving, as I basked and gazed upon such beautiful “after-sunset-scenery”.  The transition from the orange hues into the emerging illuminated buildings was exceptional.  This experience indeed was marked and highlighted as I whispered under my breath, “Thank You, Jesus!  You always exceed my expectations!”.

Truly, He has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  We just need to calibrate our thoughts and hearts to trust in His perfect timing for He is a perfect God.  His thoughts of us and His ways for us are always way above what we can dare think, dream or imagine.   And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

What an encouragement indeed for us to share our testimonies!  See how our Lead Pastor’s testimony made an impact that caused me to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness in my own life? If God did it then, He will do it again and again, for He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Nothing is too small to testify and magnify God.  What we share always have a ripple effect into someone else’s. 

As we come to know Him more and more, we can make Him known more and more. Glory to God!