Need some humorous reminders of this truth? Read these facts that a friend sent to me via e-mail:
History is filled with bold predictions that completely missed the mark:
* At the turn of the 20th century, car makers produced only four million automobiles because the experts believed the world would eventually run out of chauffeurs.
* Mark Twain refused to invest in Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone because he didn’t see a use for it.
* “This ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.” — Western Union internal memo, 1876.
* In 1943, Thomas Watson, the President of IBM, said the future world would need “maybe only five computers.”
* “The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?” — David Sarnoff’s associates in response to his urgings for investment in the radio in the 1920s.
* “While theoretically and technically television may be feasible, commercially and financially it is an impossibility.” — Lee DeForest, inventor.
* “There will never be a bigger plane built.” — A Boeing engineer, after the first flight of the 247, a twin engine plane that holds ten people.
* And in 1899, the director of the United States patent office told President McKinley that “everything that can be invented has already been invented.”
Can you believe the audacity of man to make these “bold predictions”? At the time, only God knew how drastically wrong these men would be. On this side of their predictions, we see how absurd every one of them are.
But we do the same thing, don’t we? When we decide what is best and right for ourselves, and are upset with God over how things turned out differently than what we planned or understand… we are just as audacious.
Today, I have a couple of consistant thoughts in the forefront of my heart and mind. Over the years, I’ve flipped back and forth between trustful acceptance and the audacious demand that I know best and want what I want concerning these two situations.
One of the thoughts heavy on my heart is about my daddy. Today is his birthday. He would have been 73, and has been with the Lord for almost 15 years. I smile everytime I think of how much he would have enjoyed his wife and grandchildren at this stage of life – if he had been healthy. In our minds, he should still be here with us. But God had something else planned for him – and for us. For Daddy’s sake, I’m glad he is in heaven. We miss him terribly, but God knew the future, and has taken good care of my mom and us all. Before he died, Daddy wanted to make sure that his children knew this truth: “What God does is right. He doesn’t make mistakes.” What a comfort to me as I process this next thought today…
The other prevalent occupation of today’s mind is Nathan‘s appointment at LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis. On Tuesday of this week, we got an earlier appointment with the pediatric neurologist – so that’s where we’ll be today! PTL! God made a way for us to get some answers several weeks earlier than our original appointment, and we are so grateful. As we head into this day and what will follow, we can be assured that God knows the future. We can tell God how we’d like for it to go, but only God knows… and we are choosing to trust Him.
I’ve learned that there is a difference between the audacity of deciding and boldly proclaiming that we know what is best for our lives and boldness in approaching the Throne of Grace with our needs and requests. God knows the future. He is trustworthy. He is the One who is orchestrating the paths He lays before us. Proverbs 16:9 says so: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”
God knows the future. So let’s boldly approach His throne on behalf of our needs and out loved ones… without the foolishness of thinking that we are the ones who are experts in knowing.
And if in the future, we’re ever tempted to think we know what’s best, let’s just remember Thomas Watson, the President of IBM – and his statement that the world needs maybe only 5 computers. Good gravy… how absurd! 😉
(This man isn’t Thomas Watson… but he sure is someone proud of his “home computer”. Read the fine print if you can… very interesting!)
~~~ On another note~~~
Are any of you going to Beth Moore’s Living Proof Live Simulcast this weekend? Our church is hosting it at Delta State University – in the Performing Arts Center. We have space for hundreds more… so if you’re in or near Cleveland, MS… drive on over. We’d love to have you with us. Tickets are $25. It starts at 9am.
May the Lord speak through Beth to refresh us all! Life change. That’s what I’m after. What about you?
With much love for each of you~
Jennifer
