I’ve heard it said that when God gives us a vision, He always shows us the mountaintop, but never the path to get there. He doesn’t show us the valleys along the way–the trials, the disappointments, and the pain that we will face. And, they say that God keeps these details from us because if we knew in advance what we would have to go through, we just might turn back.
The fullness of God’s plan is a burden that we can’t bear.
And it’s not just that we can’t handle His plan, we will never be able to understand His plan. We can’t understand why He chooses one path and not the other. We can’t understand why we have to face circumstances that we would rather avoid.
'“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord . 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 NIV)
It's not until we look back, that we see why we had to do things the hard way. It’s not until we look back, that we understand that there was no other way.
‘ “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ’ (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)
God’s plan is for our good.
We can take comfort in this truth…but that doesn’t mean that our journey will suddenly be easier. It doesn’t mean that the setbacks won’t hurt. It doesn't mean that the disappointments will sting any less.
This past week, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. I have hit so many walls on this journey…especially the walls in my mind…the thoughts that remind me that I have no idea how I will get to my destination, even with the steps that God has given me. But, as I was spiraling in my own thoughts, the Holy Spirit stopped me dead in my tracks.
Suddenly, I was reminded of the vision that God gave me. I saw myself on top of the mountain. I saw myself living the life that I am now believing for. And with joy in my heart, I came to a conclusion…
This journey is worth it.
Yes, it’s hard. Yes, sometimes it sucks. But when I finally see my family on the mountaintop…it will all be worth it.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 NIV)
I don’t know what you are going through right now in your life. I don’t know the trials that you face. But, I do know that if you continue to trust God and walk the path that He has given you, it will not be in vain…you will reap your harvest.
Your calling is worth it. Your promise is worth it.
So, when you feel like this journey is too much to bear, remember the plan that God has called you to.
Get a view from the mountaintop.
See yourself healed. See yourself whole. See yourself walking with purpose. See yourself giving the testimony that you are now believing for. God is not a man that He should lie. If He showed you a view from the mountaintop, He will surely lead you there.
“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19 NIV)
Vision has a purpose.
God gave you a vision–a view from the mountaintop– for a reason. You see, this view is where you gain confidence in Him. It’s where you draw your hope and strength from.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)
The view from the mountaintop is meant to enlarge your faith.
You can’t tangibly see what you have hope for, but because you have seen a view from the mountaintop, you can have confidence that God will take you there.
In Hebrews 11, we read about the extraordinary faith of people like Abraham, Sarah, and Moses. These people trusted God, even when they had no proof that they would receive what they were believing for.
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.” (Hebrews 11:8-9 NIV)
“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.” (Hebrews 11:11 NIV)
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” (Hebrews 11:24-26 NIV)
When we use Abraham, Sarah, and Moses as examples from the passage, it’s clear that they each have one thing in common: they were focused on the view from the mountaintop. Abraham was focused on the promised land. Sarah was focused on her promised child. And Moses was focused on his reward.
The view from the mountaintop is God’s promise to you.
The vision that He gave you is his way of saying… “I know life is tough right now, but look what I have in store for you!” Your Heavenly Father wants you to know that His plan for you is good, even when it seems otherwise. And He wants you to know that you will prosper, even though all you’ve experienced is failure. You see….the struggle, the pain, and the disappointment aren’t meant to punish you. God’s purpose is to push you. He is propelling you closer and closer to the promise that He spoke over your life. So, don’t worry about what it looks like right now. Focus on the finish-line, and trust that your Heavenly Father will lead you there.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing me to walk according to your purpose, and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your master plan. Father, today I have been reminded that you have given me everything that I need to successfully walk according to the plan that you have for my life. You have given me a promise, and you are a promise keeper. You have given me a vision that I can hold on to. And even better, you have given me your presence….so I know that I am not alone. I believe that you go before me. I believe that you are right beside me. And I believe that you always have my back. Father, today I choose to put all of my hope in you. I will trust your vision. I will trust your plan. And I believe that as I continue to walk by faith, you will lead me to the place that you have prepared for me. I love you, Father. In the name of Yeshua, the Messiah, I pray, amen.
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