“As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.” Ecclesiastes 11:5 (ESV)
God, I can’t figure out what You’re doing! I prayed after a discouraging call on my drive home.
Years before, God had invited me to trade my plans for His. He had whispered a promise to my heart and confirmed it through His Word, wise counsel, and prayer. I said “yes” and followed in obedience.
At first, following God’s plan felt exhilarating. But then the journey began to look different from what I’d imagined. As I let God direct my steps, the road was filled with potholes, and it seemed He was leading me to the middle of nowhere. I didn’t doubt His presence, but I questioned His plans.
My enthusiasm and confidence waned. Some days, I felt optimistic and persistent. Other days, I felt angry and confused. On that evening when a phone call sunk my hope, I felt helpless and stuck.
Veering into a parking lot, I let my tears splatter. Could You just show me what You’re doing, Lord?
I don’t know how long I sat there waiting for the Lord’s reply. But there was no flash of lightning or thundering voice. Just a quiet thought impressed upon my haggard heart:
Do you want a God you can explain or a God you can extol?
Through my tears, I realized an uncomfortable truth: a God of infinite majesty, miracles, and eternal love can’t be measured, contained, or explained.
Perhaps that’s why Ecclesiastes 11:5 reminds us: “As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.”
God sees more than we see. He knows more than we know. He works in ways beyond our comprehension (Isaiah 55:8-11). And if we agree to follow Him only when we understand what He’s doing, we’ll always stop short of experiencing His inexplicable wonders.
We have a choice: We can let the mystery of God bolster our doubt or buoy our wonder.
What I know about God is far more important than what I don’t know:
God loves me, and He’ll never leave me (John 3:16; Hebrews 13:5).
He is for me, not against me (Romans 8:31).
God’s Word is true, and His heart is kind (Psalm 33:4; Acts 14:17).
Lifting my head from the tear-stained steering wheel, I lifted my praises to heaven. And gradually, my disappointments shriveled in the shadow of my swelling hope.
As I headed home, the sky melted into a stunning swirl of pink and orange. God was painting the sunset once again. I don’t understand how He does it — scattering breathless beauty across the horizon — but it is wondrous.
Just like He is.
Dear Jesus, You’ll never fit into my finite box of human understanding. But You’ll always fulfill my infinite need for a Savior. Give me faith to praise You even when I don’t understand Your ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Isaiah 55:8-9, “… My intentions are not always yours, and I do not go about things as you do. My thoughts and My ways are above and beyond you, just as heaven is far from your reach here on earth” (VOICE).
Job 11:7, “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?” (NIV)
When you feel anxious about what you don’t understand today, praise God for who you know Him to be. What are some things you know about who God is? Share them with us in the comments!
© 2025 by Alicia Bruxvoort. All rights reserved.
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