“I don’t want to make a sea otter.” One of my younger art students proclaimed. She was looking instead at the camouflaged deer which was a complicated project made in the class before. I had materials ready for the sea otter. The materials for the deer had been used up with the previous class. “We are doing the sea otter.” I explained. “That project was for the older class.”

She insisted, and one after another of her classmates voiced their objections to doing sea otters. Funny how discontent spreads.

I passed out the materials for the sea otters. Most of the students forgot their objections when they saw the materials, which included paint. Two students still wanted plain paper to come up with their own idea. I gave them plain white paper and a tin full of colored pencils with the warning that I would not be able to help them since I was teaching the Sea Otter lesson.   

The original objector asked for various supplies. I told her no, that I was working with the students who wanted to make Sea Otters. She would have to make due with plain paper and colored pencils. She had chosen to be on her own. I was not available to help her.

After the students had gone, I felt God nudging me. How often have I acted like that student?

God asks me to do something. Something He has planned for me to do. He has provided the materials. He is ready to work with me and teach me through the difficult spots.

Sometimes I put my head down and get to work. Sometimes I think I have a better idea. Sometimes I want to do the job He has given to somebody else. Sometimes I work on my own idea while asking God to help me again and again.

His response? “I thought you wanted to be on your own?” …and after I have struggled enough to see my need and my foolishness, He will come along side me with a gentle rebuke and help me get out of the mess I find myself in.

Sometimes I will argue until I realize I need to trust Him even if it makes no sense to me, or seems impossible, or is not what I would have chosen.

Father, forgive me. I am sorry that you must remind me again and again that Your way is the best way. It will not always be the easiest, but it will always be the best.

For Further Study:

But they will say, ‘It’s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’ Jeremiah 18:12

For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face; But in the time of their trouble they will say, “Arise and save us.’ Jeremiah 2:27b

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10