Thought: Hidden Bows

Big bows, little bows–everywhere I look, I see another hidden bow. My mom had some extra bows left over from an event, so she has used them to decorate our home.

The bows have gotten us both to thinking about hidden gifts–specifically, how the Lord often has hidden gifts for us in the different situations we face. The Israelites certainly didn’t want to end up in the desert–yet God gave them manna and water there. No doubt Paul and Silas didn’t have prison on their wish list–yet God used their imprisonment to bring salvation to the jailor and his household and to show His glory.

Recently, I got a cold that canceled my plans for several days. Yet I found many “hidden bows” along the way. The cold forced me to have a chance to rest, pray, and regroup. It was really a blessing in disguise.

God’s thoughts and plans are higher than our own.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith 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

Sometimes we can’t see how His plans are best–and won’t in this lifetime–but God sees a much bigger picture than we do. There’s no need for us to worry, fear, or try to figure it all out. Instead, we can choose to give thanks and find, like Paul and Silas, that even a prison can become an instrument for good.