So today’s post is a bit out of left field, but it’s something I’ve been thinking a lot on. And I know a lot of people who are in the same boat right now with various struggles or matters of waiting, so I thought I’d share.
I was wrestling a bit the other day with the knowledge that God was telling me to be patient. It’s a pretty normal conversation at this point. I don’t enjoy the topic to begin with, and it feels like this year has been stacked with big things I just have to hurry up and wait on. Instability, things out of my control but I know they’re coming around the bend.
There are books I want to release YESTERDAY.
Ideas I can’t get to yet.
A horse I want to be done training before I barely started. (That’s a self-induced problem.)
Business ideas I want to try but can’t just yet.
And many, many other things personally. There’s a holding pattern right now, one that tells me that a whole lot of things will change soon, but when exactly is soon?
God reminded me of the verse that says He will go before you (Deut. 31:8).
But I’m a very impatient person, and I know a lot of people who are waiting like me. Which is why I’m sharing this.
So naturally, I was complaining to Him a little bit. “I know I asked for answers and guidance and I got that, but now I’ve gotta WAIT?”
And He immediately brought to mind several things I need to be cultivating in the meantime. Habits I could improve or lose. Projects He wants me to work on first. Discipline when I’m used to jumping headlong into something once I’ve finished waffling in indecision (which is…often). And yes. Patience.
And once I had that mental list down…I just heard in the back of my mind, “Don’t you think I was working on all these things long before you even knew to pray about it?”
That was a bit of a reality check for sure. Because He has. He had it all figured out before we even existed. Sure, we have free will—but He knows what will happen, what we’ll choose. It’s a matter of discernment and obedience now. What He has planned will come to fruition if we follow Him…even if we have to wait.
Sarah had to wait.
Joseph had to wait.
Jacob had to wait.
Moses had to wait (and never got to enter the Promised Land).
All of Israel had to wait, over and over again, due to their disobedience — but God was there each time, ready to fulfill His covenant with His people.
Jesus Himself only began His ministry in the appointed time: which meant about thirty years before the few wild, impactful, dangerous and wonderful years He ministered, healed, discipled the Twelve, and fulfilled His purpose on earth.
All this to say: Maybe our seasons of “waiting” aren’t just us sitting on our hands.
Maybe it isn’t scraping by on another lesson on patience that’s quickly discarded next time.
Maybe it’s reflection to become closer to God. Letting go of shackles of fear, depression, insecurity, pride, and a good many other things that keep us back or cause us to be prone to ignoring God’s calling on our life.
Maybe it’s asking Him what we can improve on in the meantime. Because we all have a laundry list.
Maybe waiting involves thankfulness…er, it should. Because if God caved and gave us what we begged for before we were ready, or when what we wanted didn’t line up with what He knew we needed…it could have disastrous consequences. Not only for our lives, but for the lives of others we might be witnessing to. Maybe waiting protects us too.
Maybe it’s having the faith to trust that God will bring to fruition His perfect will, and the holding pattern is equal parts “Peace, be still” and getting ourselves right so we’re ready to say “Here I am,” when God says it’s time.
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