“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways… My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:8–9, NKJV)

System Design Failure

I will never forget my very first university lecture. I walked into the auditorium wondering if this moment was truly the beginning of the rest of my adult life—pursuing the dream.

The Professor walked in, set up his slides, and began with:

“If there’s only one thing you learn in your entire degree, let it be this: everything you design as an Engineer will fail. That’s the only law you need to know. Everything we design will fail.”

We then spent the rest of the semester studying global engineering disasters over the centuries—Piper Alpha Oil Rig, the Fukushima Nuclear Reactor, Chernobyl, to name a few.

These were all examples of how systems failed. No matter how precise or minute the detail, everything humans created failed. That’s why contingency, safety protocols, monitoring, maintenance and quality assurance processes were vital.

During my Engineering degree, I learned about the precision required to ensure materials could withstand environmental stresses. One of my favourites was reinforced concrete—where steel rods are inserted into each concrete block in a mesh structure. The diameter of the steel rods were crucial to ensuring the concrete columns did not fail under tension. It was precisely designed to the dimensions of the concrete block to withstand external force(s).

Grand Master Design

Halfway through high school, I created a 15-year plan. I can confirm that not a single part of my original plan has came to pass. When I graduated, I felt lost, empty, and directionless.

Initially, I was shocked and frustrated that my life began in a way that was “not part of the plan.” Years went by, before I began to see how God had opened doors and fashioned a career I could never have dreamed of for myself.

When I think about my Mother’s cancer journey, the way her diagnosis came about was a chain reaction of seemingly random events. Random to us, but not to our Creator. I had planned to move back to Melbourne after three years, but I was prompted to return abruptly and inexplicably. I knew it was from the Lord, but I didn’t know why? Many assumed I moved back after hearing the news—but in reality, she was diagnosed ten days after I returned.

In my life, I’ve seen how people, timelines, and circumstances—past, present, and future—had to align at the perfect moment. Only a sovereign God, who holds the universe in His hands, could achieve such precision. No testing, contingency protocols, or human intervention is required in the systems He designs.

The Blueprint

Imagine if we could view the blueprint of our life? We’re always seeking answers, clarity, and insights into the big picture. Essentially, it’s a way for us to control the narrative. What if God handed us our “Life Blueprint” from the very beginning?

How overwhelming, even terrifying, that would be.

When I reflect on my life to date – the trials, the victories, the pain, and the loss – I know I would never have been able to comprehend or accept it all at once.

Often in our walk with Him, God reveals only small increments of His grand plan because we are finite, vulnerable, and weak. We cannot comprehend the magnitude of the plans He has for us. He must first refine our faith and mold us according to His character. The Bible reminds us that:

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”
(Proverbs 16:9, NKJV)

As the Lord continues to teach me to let go, I’m learning that walking with Him is about who we become. Ultimately, the goal is to emulate Christ and bring Him glory.

User Acceptance

Our plans will fail. It doesn’t matter how many Plan B’s, C’s, or D’s you create—we are not omniscient; only He is.

You can spend your life trying to control outcomes, forecast, mitigate, and re-plan, but ultimately, we cannot understand what God already knows.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says 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 55:8–9, NKJV)

He understands the intricacies of the systems He designed.

Remember, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit. While we are the concrete, He is the custom-designed steel rod—reinforcing and strengthening our faith as life tries to stretch us.

Are there plans you’re struggling with today? If so, take heart:

“…He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
(Philippians 1:6, NKJV)

Our role now is simple:

“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”
(Hebrews 12:1–2, NKJV)

The Grand Architect has chosen to have a personal relationship with you, are you trusting Him today?