Caraway is not threshed with a sledge,
nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin;
caraway is beaten out with a rod,
and cumin with a stick.
Grain must be ground to make bread;
so one does not go on threshing it forever.
The wheels of a threshing cart may be rolled over it,
but one does not use horses to grind grain.
All this also comes from the Lord Almighty,
whose plan is wonderful,
whose wisdom is magnificent.
Isaiah 28:27-29 (NIV)
Unique. Specific. Tailored. Purposeful. Caraway, grain and cumin are individually unique and require specific methods that are tailored for each one to fulfil their edible purposes. Caraway is beaten one way. Cumin another way. Grain is threshed but only to a point and then ground using a completely different method. Unique. Specific. Tailored. Purposeful. A wonderful plan designed through the magnificent wisdom of the Lord Almighty.
Masterfully crafted plan
Unique. Specific. Tailored. Purposeful. These words can also be used to describe the plan God has for each of us. A masterfully crafted plan designed through the magnificent wisdom of the Lord Almighty to help us become the man or woman of God He planned for us to be before we were even born (see Psalm 139:13-16). Not a cookie cutter template of a plan where duplicates are spit out on an assembly line. But a personalised hand shaping process that causes each to be a one of a kind, rare creation that has God’s fingerprints all over it.
The plan looks different for each of us because life experiences differ from person to person in this chaotic world we live in. The goal will always be for us to bring glory to our Great Creator. However the route to get there might be smoother for some while others may encounter uncomfortable and painful conditions in their journey to uncovering God’s purposes for their lives.
Sovereign infinite wisdom
God knows exactly what each of us need to become who we are called to be. God can even use others’ evil intentions to shape us for those purposes. See the accounts of Joseph, Esther, David and Jesus as examples of God demonstrating His sovereignty over other’s plans.
Life is a process. We don’t just come out of the womb connected to our Creator and equipped to lead purposeful lives. In His infinite wisdom, God uses a variety of experiences, good and bad, to help us reach the desired end of knowing Him intimately and glorifying Him with our lives. So, let’s not judge the routes God may allow others to take. What may look disastrous to us, may be the very road that eventually leads an individual right into the loving arms of our Savior Jesus Christ. Just as the farmer is knowledgeable about the best process to get what he wants from each crop, our omniscient, wise God knows exactly what each of us need to know Him personally and to fulfill our purpose here on earth.
So what’s the plan?
It’s…
Unique. Specific. Tailored. Purposeful.
Let’s allow God’s masterfully crafted plan for us to unfold in our own lives as well as give Him the space to do the same in others.
Considerations 