Purpose Vs Truck - Day 78 Month 3-19 Week 12-1

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)


Leviticus 17,18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2017%2C18&version=NASB1995

Psalm 66 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2066&version=NASB1995

Isaiah 55:6-13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2055%3A6-13&version=NASB1995

Luke 1:57-80 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201%3A57-80&version=NASB1995


Purpose vs Truck


In our Isaiah reading, God says:


  • For My thoughts are not your thoughts

  • Nor are your ways My ways

  • For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts


God orchestrates things in a way that we can’t pre-guess.  I’ve been following a rabbit trail that requires God’s provision but I may be following my ways, not God’s ways.  I really don’t know but as you read on, you may have your own story that questions whose ways you are pursuing.


You may have gotten the impression from previous blogposts, that I’m determined to get a new truck.  I’ve mentioned in the past that my current truck (some would not call it a truck), a 2011 Honda Ridgeline, either needs to be replaced or requires some expensive repairs, mechanical and bodywork, because it won’t pass its upcoming inspection in May in its current condition.  So, I’ve been researching for a new truck, because honestly, that’s what I prefer.  I want to move away from a truck and maybe get a larger SUV like a Toyota Sequoia or a Nissan Armada.  Now that there’s a war in the middle east, I realize those SUV’s don’t make sense. Since I’d be buying used, both of those SUVs are gas guzzlers if I choose something pre 2022.  So I’ve adjusted.  I could settle for a Hyundai Palisade, preferably the calligraphy model, the Kia Telluride, Toyota 4Runner, or my best choice is a Nissan Pathfinder with the tow package.  The Nissan pathfinder because it’s got a 6000 lb tow capacity.  The requirements are:

  1. A tow capacity 5000 lbs or greater 

  2. 3 row seating so that we can transport people who need transport (We’d like to offer the service to folks who may not be able to get around on their own)

  3. 4 wheel or all wheel drive because we live over the mountain (mountain road can be treacherous in the winter)

  4. It needs roof racks.  We have 2 pack canoes for when we’re camping.

  5. Model 2021 or newer because I want to ensure the vehicle has Apple Carplay and Android auto

  6. OH YA, I have no money to spend on a new truck so, this is 100% God provision


As you can see I’ve done research and I’ve narrowed it down.  I have several car apps and, of course, FB marketplace.  I’ve picked out the ones I want!!!  One is in Toronto and it’s a beautiful powder blue with roof racks and full tow package.  It’s beautiful and not overly expensive.  However, all being said, I can’t do anything because it has to be God’s provision. (See point 6)


Last evening, Sylvia and I went to our weekly small group gathering.  You may remember from a few posts ago, we do this weekly with some others who attend the same church.  While I’m there, Gord, who keeps us in line with our discussion questions, was asking me if we have a Honda Ridgeline.  They drove past when they were going to a restaurant for dinner the other day.  I said yes but I suspected we wouldn’t have it much longer and told him why.  His response was, why don’t you call the garage I deal with.  They do mechanical and bodywork.  So, with a sad face and recognizing God is using Gord to help adjust my thinking,  I’ve texted him for their contact info (he’s already responded with details).  I’ll call them after I finish writing to see when they can take a look at the Ridgeline.


So back to the first paragraph I wrote, God says His ways are not my ways.  I don’t know what God will do about the truck.  God has ways of answering our needs that surprise us and I can’t possibly know how God will respond to this.  I may be driving the Ridgeline for another couple of years, or this may simply be obedience.  Who knows, I may not be able to get the Ridgeline repaired and go without.  All of this means what I really want to ensure is that I don’t put my ways in front of God’s ways.


In the Luke reading today, Zacharias prophesied 8 days after John’s Birth and said “For you will go before the Lord, to prepare His ways to His people's knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of sins.”  I also have to ask what’s important.  It’s certainly not my new Powder Blue Pathfinder.  It’s Jesus offering salvation through the forgiveness of sins.


This morning I’m reminded that I am here to serve God by loving God and to love my neighbour.  All of the other things risk being a distraction from my real purpose.


Have a great day!

Steve

steve.d.pauls@gmail.com


PS: After Sylvia edited this post, I showed her the "powder blue" pathfinder only to
have her point out it was grey. I'm not colour blind....really!

You can subscribe to this blog and receive an email each day or week.  Just visit the following link. https://follow.it/my-faith-view-from-here-daily-readings-and-thoughts?leanpub

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 15 - Week 3 Day1 Let Your Heart Rest

Today's reading Genesis 24:61 - End of 25 Psalms 14 Isaiah 12 - 13:5 Matthew 11 Thought for today (sorry but this is heavy) Today my heart is heavy.  I couldn't sleep well.  I figured that I may as well get up and do my morning reading and blog post.  So much is going on this world!  So much death.  So much war.  I long for what we read about yesterday of the eventual peace that will be in God's Kingdom.  In Psalm 14 from today's reading, we read "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."  They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good...They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one. "  This is a Psalm of David, Israel's great king who God describes as a man after His own heart.  I think it's because David always wore his heart on his sleeve.  He was real and you see it in the Psalms he wrote.   My heart is heavy because...
Read more

Day 25 Week 4 Day 4 Green Pastures

Today's reading (Bible in 1 year) Genesis 36 Psalm 23 Isaiah 22:1-14 Matthew 17 Last evening, my wife, Sylvia, read a statement to me from a bishop in the Episcopalian church in New Hampshire.  He advised his Episcopal clergy to get their affairs and wills in order "because it may be that now is no longer the time for statements, but for us with our bodies to stand between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable".  Sometimes, peacemaking puts one in the place where death is a possibility in the protection of the most vulnerable.  It's an ominous thing to think about. Today we read Psalm 23.  What a powerful Psalm to read in it's fullness but hopefully you just read it and I'll simply mention verse 4 where it says " Even though I walk through the valley of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me " Did you hear that?   You are with me! On November 16, 2025 my mom passed away and went to be with Jesus, 2 days before her 98th birthday.  My mo...
Read more

Day 20 - Week 3 Day 6 The Rock

Today's reading (Bible in 1 Year) - If you have not read my introduction or blog from the beginning, I felt a strong motivation to read the whole Bible in a year and discover something new each day to share. Genesis 30:25 - end of 30 Psalm 18 Isaiah 17 Matthew 13:44 - end of 13 Thought for the day We have rocks!  We live on a rocky shore and our whole property is full of rocks.  You can't dig down more than 6" anywhere on our property and not find a rock.  It's very frustrating when you're trying to dig a garden or plant a tree.  Interesting though, they shift.  Every spring, my mower finds new rock locations.  During the winter freeze and thaw and freeze and thaw and freeze and thaw (that's how it is here), the rocks in the ground shift again and again.   There is one rock on our property that does not shift!  At the shore we have a lava rock outcropping.  It's goes out about 20 ft and and at high tide, you can touch the water from it. ...
Read more