WAIT

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“A waiting person is a patient person. The word patience means the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us.”

― Henri J.M. Nouwen

Nouwen is right…we must have a willingness to stay, to not give up, give in, cash out, or settle.  And that is NOT easy when everything going on around us says to do just that.  But it is just not Nouwen who encourages that patience.  I am guessing he might have heard it first from Paul.

…we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (MSG)

I understand.

When things are “falling apart” around us the last thing we really ever want to hear is “wait”, “hang on”, & “don’t quit”.  We want someone to fix it, come through, & offer the way out.

Every day I work within a culture of folks who have decided to “NOT WAIT.”  Their motto is “I want what I want when I want it”.  There is no room for waiting for the addicted.  The “present pain” needs “fixing” and that is why it is called a “fix” even though it couldn’t be further from it. Their present circumstances aren’t just falling apart they often have crumbled and done their best to bury.  Their hard times are not seen as small “taters”.  No, their hard times are big ole IDAHO BAKERS in their minds and the only way to fix ‘em is to alleviate the “present pain”.  

But the Bible is clear about the importance of waiting when we are dealing with "painful" times. 

We have sufferings now, but these are nothing compared to the great glory that will be given to us. Romans 8:18 (ERV)

So we must wait.

Yesterday one of my colleagues felt like she was “out to sea”.  This is “painful” for her because she loves to have a plan. So this present season of feeling adrift is causing some suffering.

But her faith is encouraging her to wait. 

I too am in a “holding” pattern. And no, while I am not “suffering”, the uncertainties swirling around me don’t seem like small potatoes. But I too must be willing to wait.

And we both must not worry for as Nouwen reminds, something will manifest after the “time of waiting” that reveal the reason for the waiting. 

Our job is to exercise patience and trust the truth.

Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (PH)

Are you dealing with a batch of present pain?

Be willing to wait it out.

Clarity is coming. 

In the mean time, earnestly pray and let GOD have the worry.

He is listening and He will answer.

...if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us.

1 John 5:14-15 (LB)

It will be worth the wait.

I love you all!

Be blessed!

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)