3:3227 – Is It Odd Or Is It…

#faithbites #faithjourney odd

Setting

During today’s message, our pastor introduced us to a new phrase. We have all heard that God works in mysterious ways. He told us he grew up with the phrase, “Is it Odd or Is it God?” (See the rhyme there?).

I had never heard this phrase before, but have said, “Wow, that was odd” several times in my life. From how I ended up at my undergraduate college to meeting my wife to even the job I have today. It was an odd set of circumstances that took me from point A to point B. I used to joke that my life’s path is going from Bloomington, Il to Chicago, Il by way of New York, London, Cape Town, Sydney, Moscow, Beijing, and Los Angeles. No one would plan a trip like that on purpose for trying to accomplish a trip. (Ok, we aren’t talking about The Amazing Race, but that’s a different story). God does work in mysterious ways.

When we see these odd things, do we chalk it up to luck, to chance, to just being odd, or do we look at God and say, “Hey, I see what you did there”? What if we looked at these occurrences as our proof of answered prayers and that God is active in our lives. How would our outlook change?

Scripture

• Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
• Habakkuk 1:5 – “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.
• Romans 11:34 – “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”

Reflection

All three of our verses make one point clear: God is not man. He doesn’t think, act, or behave like we do. We try to rationalize his behavior in terms we can understand. Science is one of those ways, but that is a discussion for another day.

God has a plan that he is enacting in his way, his time, and by his will. When we apply human standards to it, it doesn’t make sense. It seems weird, strange, mysterious, or odd. Our first step is realizing that these oddities or strangeness isn’t random, that it is God moving in our lives. The second step is to thank him for what he is doing and live with his blessings. Sure, even if we know it’s God moving, we may not understand why he is doing what he is doing. That is where our faith comes in. We know that nothing is impossible with God. We just need to sit back, watch how he works, and thank him for what he’s done.

In my life, I can look back now and see where all of the trials, tribulations, and opportunities has led me to where I am today. It wasn’t what I planned, but it is what God wanted me to do and be. Now I know that it wasn’t odd, it was God at work in my life.

Let’s open our eyes and be ready!

Challenge

Look back at your life, or even just this year. Has something odd happened to you? Now trace your life from that odd occurrence. What has happened? Could that have been God moving you along your path? Thank him for it and be ready for what happens next.

Prayer

Father God, your ways are not our ways. Too often we try to put you in a box and think that you can only do things the way we would do them. We know that you created the heavens and the Earth in 6 days. You can do anything, at any time, in any way by your will. Remind us that we aren’t to try to understand how you work, but to appreciate it and thank you for it.

Lord, your people are going through so much. Help us to know that you are at work. We don’t know why you do what you do or even how, but it is you. Forgive us when we doubt, blame, or try to write it off as odd or luck. You are powerful, you are in our lives, and we love you. Thank you, God. We pray all these things in your name, Amen.