When the disciples were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” Acts 1:6 (NLT)
The disciples had witnessed Jesus’ death and resurrection. They had observed His mighty power and heard His testimony about grace and salvation. But they still didn’t get it. They were so fixated on Israel’s political oppression that they didn’t grasp the truth that Christ came to release them from spiritual oppression.
At times, I’ve been guilty of the same single-mindedness. It’s easy to be so consumed with fulfilling my self-made goals that I fail to consider the greater good—God’s divine plan. Though I may desire physical and emotional restoration, God desires so much more. He wants to focus on my spiritual restoration first and foremost.
What Jesus offered the disciples was far more than freedom from their oppressors; He offered them His Spirit and power. His plan for their lives was far greater than leading a political movement; their purpose would be redefined – to spread the good news of eternal salvation throughout the world.
When God works things out differently than we’d hoped, are we willing to accept His plans rather than our own? Are we looking for God’s greater good or still stuck on the fulfillment of our personal ideologies? Isaiah reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts – His are far greater.
Thought: “If God is your partner, make your plans BIG!” – D.L. Moody