See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. - Isaiah 43:19

We are generally pretty good at two things in our relationship with God. First, we’re great at telling God what we want Him to do. Most of our prayers are just that: a long to-do list for God. “God, please heal my aunt, uncle, brother, cat, whatever.” “God, please bless me, keep me safe, give me what I need.” “God help me get that job, girlfriend, promotion.” You get the idea.

The second thing we’re really good at is telling God how to do what we’re telling Him to do. It makes sense, because we know just how God works.

Here’s the problem: as soon as we are convinced we know how God works we risk not seeing Him do His best work.
“I am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it?” Perception is everything. You cannot react or respond to something you do not see. On Christmas, God came in flesh into His own creation. That was an entirely new thing. But not everyone could perceive it. The innkeeper in Bethlehem missed it. King Herod missed it. Who knows who else missed it.

What have you missed because you were looking for God to work in a particular way? Perhaps a relationship didn’t work out because God didn’t change the other person as you wanted? Perhaps you pushed so hard for a great job and missed out on the perfect one that God wanted you to wait for?

Today’s Prayer
Jesus, help me to see everything You are doing—especially when You do what I do not expect You to do. Do not let me be blinded by my own perceptions of how You work. Amen.