I am a very opinionated person. Ask anyone who knows me. I have an opinion on my hair, your hair, your dog’s hair, and even that statue’s hair. My opinion matters…at least that’s what I tell myself. I’m sure at least half of you reading this feel the same way…about your opinions mattering…not about my hair. So, needless to say, when I come across a scripture like Genesis 24:50, it makes me stop and pause.
Then Laban and Bethuel replied, “This is the Lord’s doing. Our wishes are of no concern.” Genesis 24:50
New English Translation
Our wishes are of no concern. That’s another way of saying “my opinion doesn’t matter.” When have I ever said that? When has society as a whole ever said that?
See, I feel like sometimes we can get so used to putting our two cents in that we can feel like the world is dying without our opinions. Yet, God made the world, and us, without any of our input. That’s why when I read Laban’s reply to Abraham’s servant, it made me pause for a minute.
I have so many opinions on so many areas of my life that I have to wonder…have I been opinionated about what God’s doing in my life? Am I opinionated about His plans? Do I ever look at what He’s done or is going to do and turn my nose up because it isn’t what I’d thought was the right choice?
When I get the dreams I wanted, and the things I think are wonderful happen, I quickly thank God and tell my Nana and Grandma. But, what do I do when things aren’t the exact way I always dreamed? Do I still thank God so excitedly and share what He’s done? I wish I could confidently say that was the case all the time; however, I know I would be lying if I did.
So, it made me realize that my opinionated nature toward God has developed a lack of gratitude. Rather than focusing on what I didn’t get, I should rejoice in what I did get! Laban realized that God had something bigger in mind than just his sister moving away and marrying a stranger. That’s why he was able to set aside his opinions and let God take the stage. We all have to realize that God sees things we don’t, and in the end, He has a better plan for our lives than we do.
Yes, there are things that I wish had happened differently in life, some hurts I wish I could have avoided. However, even in those moments God was helping me grow and become a better woman of God. So why not rejoice that I made it through those times rather than let my opinion on the matter rule?
Now, I’m not saying you’re not allowed to wish for something or desire it to look a certain way, but not at the expense of gratitude. I’ve been opinionated at the expense of gratitude several times. Trust me, it is not worth it. So, let’s join together choosing to declare that regarding God’s plans our opinions doesn’t matter and rejoice in His good plans.