No one likes waiting for a call. Whether its a call about a relative’s new baby, a call confirming a friend safely arrived at their destination, or a call that the pizza delivery guy has arrived, the longer the wait the more we start to worry. A late call is, more often than not, easily explained by forgetfulness, delays, or a change of plans. Although this is often the case, we tend to worry and assume the worst. Waiting for a call from God is no different. Sometimes it seems like we keep getting his voicemail or that he is screening his calls, so we start to worry. We assume the worst. Maybe his plan for me isn’t as awesome as I had thought? Maybe I did something wrong? Is God mad at me? In times of frustration and waiting it is helpful to remember that unlike humans, God’s love is without boundaries and his powers cannot be contained. With this in mind, we can gain comfort in knowing that he hasn’t forgotten, his love for us hasn’t ended, and that his timing is perfect.
The relief I felt when I finally got the call was enormous to say the least. I felt like I had been waiting forever, treading water with no shoreline in sight. Day-in, day-out, waiting for God to illuminate my path. The week before I found out about the World Race was not a good week. Earlier in the summer I had taken a leap of faith to stop taking classes, but I found myself frozen midair with no drop zone in sight. Numerous opportunities had failed to become realities and that week I began the process of preparing for another year of school. It didn’t feel right, but I couldn’t stay in limbo much longer. I needed a plan and time appeared to be running out. At the end of the week, after staying at home longer than I had planned, my family had dinner with some family friends who mentioned Adventures in Missions. Intrigued, I drove back to Columbus and got on the computer. I browsed through the many opportunities they offer and they all seemed awesome, but the World Race really caught my attention. Excited, I searched the site, looking for a “catch.” The more I researched, the more blogs I read and videos I watched, the more excited I grew. I can’t describe the feelings of relief, excitement, and awe I felt when I received the call informing me of my acceptance. The call even arrived a day earlier than I expected.
Early this summer my dad asked me, “Jeff, what do you want? If you don’t know what you want, you won’t have a path to get there.” He asked that I make a list of non-material wants and that we discuss them together. I spent time and dug deep for the response. Its a question I had rarely considered, aren’t we called to do what God wants and not what we want? My list: Impact, Power, Freedom, and Excitement. I wanted the power to impact people’s lives. I wanted the freedom to work in exciting situations. When I revisited this list, I simply chuckled and tipped my hat to God. He had not only been been providing me with these things in ways unknown to me, but he had also planted these desires in my heart. God’s plan for each of us takes into consideration our skills and desires, we just have to listen and discern which skills and desires are real.
“But those who wait on 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 40:31 (NKJV)
