Embracing the Unseen: Trusting God’s Plan Beyond Our Understanding
Whenever Rachel and I get the chance to walk along the beach, it’s more than just a stroll. There’s something about the waves rolling in, the endless horizon, and the sand beneath our feet that invites reflection. The rhythm of the ocean reminds me of how God works in ways far beyond what we can see or understand. Each wave is part of something bigger, something vast and powerful, just like His plans for our lives.
I often think about how much we try to plan and control our own lives. We map out goals, make decisions, and envision what our future should look like. But how often does life take a turn we didn’t expect? It’s in those moments—when our plans unravel or we’re faced with uncertainty—that we’re invited to trust in the One who sees the full picture.
Isaiah 55:8 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” God’s plan often looks different than ours. It can feel unsettling, even confusing. But just like the ocean, His ways are powerful, intentional, and beautiful, even when we can’t see the full depth.
Mary’s Journey
One of the most striking examples of embracing God’s plan is Mary, the mother of Jesus. When the angel Gabriel appeared to her with the news that she would give birth to the Savior of the world, her life changed in an instant. Mary didn’t have all the answers. She didn’t fully understand how God’s plan would unfold. But her response is one of the most beautiful acts of trust recorded in Scripture:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” — Luke 1:38
Mary’s life wasn’t easy. God’s plan for her included moments of great joy but also deep sorrow and sacrifice. Yet through it all, she embraced His will, trusting that His plan was greater than her own. Her story reminds us that God’s plans for our lives may stretch us, challenge us, and take us down paths we never expected—but they are always for His glory and our good.
Lessons From the Beach
Walking along the beach reminds me of a few important truths about embracing God’s plan:
The Path is Not Always Clear: Just as the horizon stretches far beyond what we can see, God’s plans often require us to take steps of faith without knowing the full picture.
God’s Creation Points to His Sovereignty: The steady rhythm of the waves and the vastness of the ocean remind us that God is in control. He holds the details of our lives in His hands, just as He holds the tides in place.
Trust Requires Surrender: Like Mary’s response to the angel, embracing God’s plan means letting go of our need for control and trusting that He knows what’s best.
One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned in life is that God’s plans often look nothing like mine. I’ve had seasons where I clung tightly to my own ideas of how life should go, only to see those plans fall apart. At the time, it felt like failure. But looking back, I see how God was working all along—leading me to something far better than I could have imagined.
Walking along the beach, with the horizon stretching endlessly ahead, reminds me to let go of what I can’t control and to trust in the One who holds it all together. His ways are higher, His plans are greater, and His faithfulness never fails.
What’s one area of your life where you’ve struggled to embrace God’s plan? How can you take a step of trust today, surrendering your own plans to His?
Lord, thank You for reminding me that Your plans are greater than mine. Help me to trust You, especially when life doesn’t go the way I expect. Teach me to surrender my will to Yours, knowing that You are always in control. Thank You for Your faithfulness and for leading me in ways that are far better than I could ever imagine. Amen.
