The Ironic Thing About Faith
Ever get the feeling faith and irony share the same last name?
I say that for this reason: we make plans trusting that God inspired those plans, and that He will work in those plans. But then God goes and does something unexpected that cancels those plans.
Today’s snow forecast is such an example. Our teams prepared a wonderful worship service only to cancel the service. That can be frustrating because we prepared in faith that God would do something amazing. We fully believe that every Sunday has the potential to be THE day for someone to experience the life changing power of Christ. It’s disappointing when we don’t meet together to celebrate what the Lord has done and what we believe He will do.
So why does God do something unexpected when we are trying to act in faith?
Because sometimes our faith isn’t in the right place.
It’s in us, not in Him.
It’s in our ability. Our accomplishments. Our power. Our faith is in ourselves.
Ironically, the focus for this week from the 40 days of prayer is the sovereignty of God. This theme started today, a day when our worship gathering was cancelled. Oh, the irony! But as Kevin Pies writes regarding this week’s theme:
“Things don’t often go according to the ways that we want them to. Life is full of twists and turns. In times of unexpected changes, our faith in a sovereign God serves as a compass to guide us through uncertainty. We can steadfastly hold onto the Lord’s great plans as it makes a profound impact on directing our lives. He orchestrates our schedules, even with abrupt life redirections. Reflecting reveals His unseen control and thereby strengthens our faith. Trust in God’s sovereignty, despite disruptions, as He shapes your journey.”
Pies continues to note that Proverbs 19: 21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
It’s like faith and irony are two dancers in a waltz: Faith moves forward with confident, deliberate steps, fully expecting the dance to unfold in a certain way. Irony slips in as the surprising counter-step—suddenly changing the tempo, leaving Faith momentarily off-balance. Yet that unplanned pivot is often what transforms the routine into something far more beautiful and meaningful than the original choreography. In the same way, our well-laid plans can be overturned by life’s unexpected turns, revealing that the real “choreographer” is God’s sovereign hand, gently correcting our misplaced trust and drawing us into a grander, more glorious dance than we could ever design on our own.
God is sovereign, and we are not. But when we let Him lead the dance, we experience confidence that His plans are good for us, and our faith grows deeper out of the irony.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian