For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares Yahweh. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

~ Isaiah 55:8-9

            The word translated as "ways" also means the "path taken" and "habits". The way that the Father does things – the path He follows – is not like ours. We each understand somewhat about our personal ways. Although it takes deliberate observation to discover our own habits and patterns, we can be assured that we have them. They are the all the many things we do without thinking.

Habits of behavior are reactions – when a particular situation or need arises, we react instead of thinking it through. Reacting is not thoughtfulness. A reaction, in fact, circumvents thought. This is very convenient, of course, when it comes to driving a car – after we have learned the combination of skills necessary, we drive “without thinking” as it were. Such patterns are what allow performers and athletes to excel, and what helps each of us be able to ride a bicycle or “walk and chew gum at the same time.”

Our “ways” become automatic. We react to things we have learned [or thought we learned] in the past. We react to threats, to stress [as well as to compliments]. Out of habit we reach for a piece of candy, or a cigarette. We are highly patterned. This is the “way” of humans.

But Yahweh is the Prime Actor – not the re-actor. He is the Emanator of Light – not the reflector. His ways are only barely comprehensible to us – just as the heavens are only barely comprehensible. He responds without reacting automatically. He follows His path by determination, not by habit.

His thoughts, likewise, are different than our thoughts. Our thinking is fragmented. When we take on a project or attempt to solve a puzzling situation, there are many thoughts involved. To a greater or lesser degree, we can sense our thoughts. What about this? Or that? If I do this, what will happen? How will the other person react, or understand? Dare I do whatever? Should I feel guilty? Did I do my best? Do I deserve this? Like little voices within our head, or pictures quickly fluttering by, there is a whole symphony of thoughts within our head. Some are in harmony with one another; other thoughts are discordant. Many people notice that they cannot focus their thinking. We often have troubles deciding which thoughts are right from among the oft-jumbled ideas that come to us.

But Yahweh is One. Unity. He does not have the sorts of thought processes that we have. He does not get confused, or feel guilty, or wonder whether He should or could do this or that. He has no guilt. He has no tangle of thoughts to sort through. He is aware of Himself, and does not react automatically without thinking. It is not only what He thinks that is higher than our thoughts, but how He thinks.

Truly, His ways and thoughts are much different than ours. His thoughts are pure, and single. He does not react out of habit or fear or guilt. He said: “Let there be light”…not “I wonder how much light I should make…or what kind…or I wonder what people will think of the light…or can I really make light?” He is perfect in all His ways and thoughts. Although His ways are far, far above our own, we can notice them, and try to model our thinking after His thoughts.