“Cease striving, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted in the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
(Psalm 46:10 NASB)
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are My ways your ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher
than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)
I’ve never enjoyed periods of waiting when there were things to be done. Why hold off for tomorrow what could be done today? Why waste time sitting around discussing what we’re going to do, instead of just doing it? Preparation? Eh, just wing it. It’s more important to at least be putting genuine effort and elbow grease into things instead of making sure it’s the absolutely most effective course of action, right? Waiting for someone more qualified to handle it? They’re not doing anything- you’d better step up.
This pattern of thinking becomes especially vivid to me as I observe from the outside and live out on the inside circumstances that ache my heart. Waiting for pain to be healed, for lives to be restored. Watching families struggle and be torn apart. Watching the warm lights of hope and faith slowly dim away under the strain and pain of life, leaving people walking around as empty shells. Seeing need everywhere I turn, and feeling trapped in not being able to help. Allowing thoughts that seem harmless and justifiable, but are in reality questioning God’s motive and ability.
“Now when Mary [Lazarus’ sister] came to where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at
His feet, saying to Him, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.'”
(John 11:32 ESV).
If You had just showed up, this wouldn’t have happened.
If You love me like You say you do, why have You allowed this?
So I work harder, in my own strength, because obviously God isn’t doing anything Himself to fix the heartaches and problems.
And I fail.
And I fall.
In my blasphemous pride, I dare to say that I know better than God.
“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
…Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements- surely you know!
…On what were its bases sunk, or who laid the cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy?'”
(Job 38:1-2, 4-5a, 6-7 ESV)
Truly, God’s ways are higher than my ways. God’s ways are not just better, but they are BEST. If there was a better way to do something, He would be doing it so. His methods are the most effective possible, His motive is pure and in my best interest, and His timing is perfect, unquestionable.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to His purpose.”
(Romans 8:28 ESV)
“But Joseph said to [his brothers], ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…'”
(Genesis 50:19-20a ESV)
Waiting on the Lord is not a passive, disengaged life of drudgery.
Nor is it a panic-stricken scramble to fix everything yourself.
It’s a life of active, resting trust in the One who holds all things in His good and capable hands. It is choosing to believe that His ways are best and consciously submitting our grand, but nearsighted, plans and dreams to Him, so that His best way can be done in us.
“Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength:
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”
(Isaiah 40:30-31 ESV)
What are you waiting on the Lord for today? Will you choose to trust His good hand and perfect timing amidst the discouragement, waiting, and pain?
They who trust Him wholly will find Him wholly true.
___________________________________________________
One of the things I’ve been learning that I must trust our Lord with here lately has been the fact that the doors Providently closed for me to be leaving on the World Race in January as originally planned. This has been difficult for me to accept and try to understand, because in my mind it seemed so right- but God knows best! I am choosing to trust in His timing and that the trip will happen when HE wants it to happen. Right now we are moving towards leaving in August 2016 and returning back to the States in July 2017. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I’m following the Lord’s leading! May HE be glorified!
