The Difference Between Good Ideas and God Ideas

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor 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.
- Isaiah 55: 8-9

What's the difference between good ideas and God ideas? From experience I can tell you often times the line between them can be awfully hard to find. Many times, our good ideas seem to be, at the very least, far more reasonable, rational, acceptable, while God ideas can appear irrational, unreasonable and too "hopeful".

God ideas, many will tell you, are impossible. You will never go to that place, receive that much money for support, you will never do all those things you "think" you are hearing. Sometimes, they will be right, and in those times, it may be because you have "imported a few "good ideas" into the God idea.

God ideas don't always feel fuzzy, they aren't always gentle and rarely are easy. Sometimes they involve as much patience as a strong faith can find, or as much trust, to step out the moment we are called.

Good ideas delay the plan, call for a surrender of it. Good ideas are, in all truth, no good at all, unless they are, too, God ideas. How can a good idea become a God idea? The formula is simple, thankfully, all you have to do is ask. Lord, I want your way not mine, open and shut these doors.
Sometimes, when that prayer is answered, your heart will break, but in the end, it will be greater than the outcome of the "good idea".

Remember that the Lord has said,

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. ‘I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’ - Jeremiah 29:11-14

Don't despair if the path seems long, don't seek good ideas. When His voice is silent, ask Him to speak. If you still do not hear, trust that you are where you need to be. If He must, He will speak to you, "Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left" -Isaiah 30:21 Do not fear, just be still and listen for His voice, at all times.

Even as our dear "Father of Faith" Abraham was attentive to hear His voice in the height of the emotional trial of his existence, the sacrafice of his dearly beloved son. Do not get so caught up in the emotions, in the distractions of the world, of plans and good ideas, that you close your ears, shut your eyes and clench your fists, firmly rooting yourself in a plan that is not His.

Remember, please remember, your emotions, no matter how valid or warranted, do not always dictate truth. Feel them and file them, ask for a God perspective and listen for His direction. He will speak.

May God bless you and continue to speak His plan into your life. Rest in Him.

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary
- Galatians 6:9