Sabbath Devotional :: Higher Ways

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

These scriptures were my constant companion for about a decade. During those especially difficult years, I would read the verses over and over again, looking for meaning, support, and strength. I learned two broad lessons from that intensive study, undertaken with a backdrop of sorrow, grief, daily disappointments, and heartache:

1. There is an eternal view far beyond what I can easily see. I often find comfort in knowing that I am missing something, especially when life feels impossible. At times, though, I glimpse moments of the “higher ways” and “higher thoughts” of the Lord and those are just enough to keep seeking.

2. “Waiting upon the Lord” is a sanctifying exercise. It is indeed possible to be fortified and even joyful when circumstances are difficult. The words “endure” and patience” get a bad rap. I wrote about this more extensively when I was in the middle of what felt like a never ending state of distress: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2010/03/enduring-well?lang=eng&fbclid=IwAR1V0db_ppF4wV60nwgnKkicn6BsHkqJa-LYsLjntFYK1ghlhDq3QnBpc0E

As the fog has cleared a bit in the past few years, I can look back and see some very specific and miraculous ways that the Lord was working his “higher ways” in my life. I would like to share one particularly poignant experience with you.

I trained as a classical pianist, but since becoming a mother have struggled to make space for the intense amounts of time and focus required to work professionally. But I had several spiritual impressions telling me great things were in store and I should be patient.

Two years ago, when a last minute opportunity presented itself to be a rehearsal pianist for and then perform with the orchestra for the premiere of a brand new opera, our family did not hesitate and I jumped right in. For five glorious weeks, I spent every evening in rehearsals and performances for this extraordinary piece about the life and love of William and Catherine Blake. Everything about the experience was exquisite; the writer/director and composer had gorgeous and open souls, the music director was kind, and the performers were generous people and singers.

While I was certainly pushed by the difficulty of the music, I was delighted to learn I was up to the challenge, even after being absent from the professional world for over a decade. It turns out that all of my years of teaching piano had helped me refine my technique in ways I did not realize until I played the opera. I was amazed to discover that I was a much better pianist than before. It also turns out that the “gift” of being able to perform again after so many years off meant I was especially in tune and focused during the entire experience. I knew that this would be a unique opportunity so I did not squander even one moment of it. In one of those moments of beautiful clarity, I was able to recognize that this was exactly one of the great things that Heavenly Father had promised me would be in store.

This is just one of many stories I have to tell. I would love to hear yours. God has always been good to me, even (especially) when things are hard, I am weary, and I struggle to grasp his “higher ways.” I can say with absolute clarity that those difficulties have been consecrated and transformed into something beautiful.