March 28: John 11:7-8 - When God's Way Doesn't Look Right (Today's Reflection from My Utmost For His Highest)

 

Bible Verse

John 11:7-8
" 'Let us go to Judea again.' The disciples said to Him,'...are You going there again?' "

Reflection
There are moments when Jesus directs us toward a path that makes no sense to our natural mind. The disciples felt this when Jesus said, “Let us go to Judea again.” They remembered the danger, the hostility, the stones raised against Him (see John 10:31–39). Returning looked reckless. But what looked wrong to them was exactly right in the Father’s plan. Lazarus had died, and through that miracle Jesus would reveal Himself as the Resurrection and the Life (see John 11:1–6, 14–15). They couldn’t see the purpose — but Jesus was already walking in it.

We often respond the same way. We hesitate, measure, and question, believing our caution is wisdom. But Jesus never asks us to understand before we follow — He asks us to trust. The inward debate that rises in us is not from God — it is a temptation to question His way when it does not look right to us, and we are unwise to entertain it. We need to be faithful — honor and trust the real Jesus, not the version shaped by our fears and assumptions.

Peter shows us this truth on the water. He stepped out at Jesus’ word, but the moment he looked away, he faltered. He didn’t reach Jesus by his own strength — Jesus reached out and lifted him up (see Matthew 14:28–31). We were never designed to walk into the unseen by ourselves. Even our best faith is only a mustard seed (see Matthew 17:20).

And this is where the truth from my March 21 reflection becomes essential: faith does not rise from within us — it is Jesus' faith, alive in us, moving through us as we walk in step with Him. When we choose to take that first step in obedience — Jesus meets us in that step, supplying the faith that strengthens and sustains us as we continue forward. He is the lifeforce, the strength, the One who gives us the faith we need to keep stepping forward. His faith moves us, sustains us, and steadies us. This is why we must remain in intimate fellowship with Him — praying without ceasing, keeping our hearts tuned to His voice, our eyes fixed on Him, our minds set on Him. When our relationship with Him is in harmony, and when we center our lives around Him, then we are equipped to follow wherever He leads. When the posture of our inner and outer life drifts away from Him, we begin to falter — but when our whole being remains centered on Jesus, His faith will carry us through anything.

In the end, there truly is no other way than to trust Him completely and follow Him fully, even when God’s way doesn’t look right to us and the steps before us are uncertain, unseen, and beyond our understanding. 

Trust Him even when His way does not look right. 

Prayer 
Lord, I trust Your voice.
You always lead with purpose.
Give me the grace to honor You in joyful obedience and faith.
Lead me and guide me on the path You have chosen for me.
I walk in Your faith; You are my strength.
In Jesus' name, Amen

Breath Prayer
Exhale:  I will trust and obey.
Inhale:  Your way, Lord...

May your steps be guided not by what you see, but by the One who calls you forward and sustains you. 

~ Quil

This reflection continues the thread from March 21, returning to the truth that the faith we walk in is not our own, but the faith Jesus gives us.

 Link to the referenced devotional:

A Faith Not Our Own  — March 21