If there is a word that can cause anxiety more than most, it’s the word WAIT! It’s probably something that most of us struggle with. It seems that when we are born, the struggle begins. No one enjoys waiting. Whether you find yourself at a red light, a drive-through, or a doctor’s office, “wait” makes your blood pressure rise. Or maybe you have flown recently! Can you say, “delay”? Just talk to a 9-month pregnant Mom. I bet her patience to wait is pretty much empty!
It’s interesting that when we follow through in obedience to what God has asked us to do, we have the idea that He will always respond quickly and in a perfect, clear way. However, when you take a trip down the pages of Scripture you see a different idea. Think about it! The children of Israel prepared to leave Egypt only to face the Red Sea. Daniel was obedient to continue to pray as he had always done, only to face a lion’s den. The three Hebrew children obeyed by not bowing down to the idol only to find themselves in the fiery furnace. Even Christ Himself struggled with the Father’s plan in Gethsemane.
I wanted to be vulnerable with you today to maybe encourage someone else who is waiting. Over the last few years, I have been aware of God leading me into an uncertain pathway. He spoke to me in January that if I was waiting for a “perfect” time to get into movement, then I would never make the move. Nothing can change without being in action. So in obedience to Him, I decided to step down from my full-time ministry position and move into uncharted territory. I’d like to say it has all worked out perfectly. Instead, I have found myself waiting. I’d also like to say that I have waited patiently, but that would not be true. Many days I have found myself anxious, fearful, angry, and disappointed. YET, not hopeless. You see, in the waiting, I keep taking myself back to the place of decision. You see there, I know that God spoke. I know it’s a good plan and it’s my Father’s plan. So my job is to work hard but to wait. Wait on Him. Wait on His timing. Wait on His opened doors. Wait on His provision. Wait on His peace. In many ways, in this tug-of-war of emotions, I find myself closer to Him than I have been in a long time. Perhaps it’s because I need Him more than I have in a long time.
A few weeks ago in prayer, He took me to Isaiah 40:31 and I wanted to encourage you with this Word.
“But they that wait on the Lord, will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
So in waiting, I plant. I sow seeds knowing that seasons always change. You don’t sow forever. If you wait properly, you will reap a harvest! Don’t waste your waiting season. It’s the place where the seed grows into a thriving, life-giving plant!
Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!