The waiting period.
Someone shared with me recently that she did not have enough
to pay her rent. She has been learning to trust God but said he was taking too
long, so she went out and bought lottery tickets, instead of waiting for him to
fill her need. She admitted she was wrong and had not waited and of course, her
tickets did not hold the winning numbers. I thanked her for her transparency because it was a big thing to share and not often does a person see the wrongs
of her ways so quickly but God had showed her and she is continuing to learn and trust and wait.
Waiting is such a fickle thing. Something you cannot quite
gauge that pops up at the most inopportune times and seems to smirk as it goes
along. Waiting erupts in to questions and what ifs and soon you find yourself
up the creek before you ever even got in the boat.
It can drive you to do
things you would not normally do or ever think of doing. Like Sarah, who after
desperately waiting for the child God promised, gives Abraham permission to
take another wife to have a child (Genesis 16:2).
Waiting can also create idols. The longer you wait for
something, the more that you want it, the tighter you tend to grasp it once you have it. The
bible does not mention that Abraham made an idol out of Isaac, but God does instruct
Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, which God may call you to do with something you hold near and dear (Genesis 22:2). This obedient act returns Isaac back
to Abraham with fresh eyes, a deeper faith and trust in God and many blessings.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we
will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Paul tells us in Galations
not to become weary in doing good, which can be hard when waiting is required. Not to become weary when we are waiting for test results
or the diagnosis. Not to become weary in disciplining our child for hundredth
time. Not to become weary in our marriage or ministry or position because we
will reap a harvest if we do not give up. God will provide throughout the
waiting and lead us graciously in to the next step.
While I'm waiting by John Waller
tells of how to wait. Have a listen.
I'm waiting,
I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it is painful, but patiently I will wait
Praying that as you wait, you would worship and find peace in
knowing that God is in control. Praying that your waiting would produce patience
and perseverance and more trust than you have ever known. Praying that you
would see the benefits of not having your request answered immediately and the
work that God is doing in and around you because of it.
Praying that you would enjoy the waiting period. Praying that
you would not get ahead of the plans or jump through hoops that God has intended on
giving doors to walk through. Praying
that you would not hold your child or job or spouse or possessions so tight
that you feel them less.
Here's to waiting and trusting.