The Waiting Game

“If I pulled back the curtain to allow you to view the heavenly realms, you would understand much more.  However I have designed you to live by faith, and not by sight.”

– Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

It’s so hard sometimes, isn’t it?? God gives us “just enough light for the step we’re on”…

No turning back.

No charging forward.

Just here.  Now.

But what a gift the present is! (Pun intended.) :-)

He wants us to trust Him. Lean on Him.  Let Him carry us when the road is difficult and our feet are weary. He gives us His strength… His power. Enough for each and every day.  Just like the Manna in the wilderness, we can’t borrow it or store it.  It’s provided as needed.

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms: he will carry them in his bosom and gently lead those that are with young.” (Psalm 40:11)

“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

As I was having my quiet time this morning, God flooded my mind with these images.  He reminded me that it’s okay to be vulnerable… that my weaknesses, when I trust them to Him, are the very things that display His strength and glory in my life.  It’s okay to tell Him how I feel… disappointments, doubts, concerns, yes… even fears. These are the things He takes and redeems… uses to show His power. He gently nudges me to stop fighting and struggling, and just rest in Him. The battle is the Lord’s!

Then I read this about times of trouble…

“Unspoken pain festers and takes on a life of its own; it cripples growth. Now I trust God’s love for me enough to tell him what I honestly feel knowing that just as he received Mary and Martha (at the time of Lazarus’ death), he will receive me…

Mary and Martha both watched Jesus weep.  They must have realized that Jesus knew he was about to bring Lazarus back to life, and yet he shed tears of grief and outrage for the brokenness of the human condition.

To me, that adds a holy dignity to so many of life’s harshest moments. It says we can trust in a Savior who cares --- deeply. It says he has a plan and in the midst working it takes the time to feel with us, hurt with us, hear us.'”

- Sheila Walsh, When a Woman Trusts God

God wants my honesty… demands it.  And through the person of Jesus, He grieves with me over my struggles. He loves me enough to shoulder the weight of my burdens… to carry the load for me.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)

Not only does He carry me and offer me rest, but he gives me the assurance that He is at work.  Even through my pain…

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

“The God of the Bible is not weak; He is strong. He is all-mighty. Nothing happens without His permission or apart from His purposes – even evil. Nothing disturbs or puzzles Him. His purposes are always accomplished.  Therefore those who know Him rightly act with the boldness, assured that God is with them to accomplish His own desirable purposes in their lives.”  - James Boice

That gives me so much peace and security… that I can have the assurance to know that God is always working. He has a plan, and nothing can stop it.  Nothing gets in his way.  Not any person, any fear, any memory, any hurt or any pain. He is sovereign.  He is in control.  Like David says in Psalm 27…

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (v.1)

“Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage;

Wait for the Lord!” (v.14)

As a self-proclaimed “Control Freak”, waiting and resting don’t always come natural for me.  But when I consider the benefits, I understand that they are both needed. I have to “Be still… and Know” that God is in control. He is my Rock, and my Redeemer. He has my best interest at heart, and always has.  He WILL fulfill  his purposes for my life. He WILL reveal His glory through my circumstances.

The Apostle Paul reminds us…

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

It’s  a waiting game.  But it’s SO worth it!