waiting On God
As much as everyone seems to be in a hurry today, waiting has become a way of life. The week before a big race, the days after a presentation, or the struggles of finding direction all involve the hard part of life – WAITING.
Waiting can be a positive or negative experience, depending on how the time is spent. For some it’s filled with frustration, like the guy in a traffic jam that works to change to one lane and then the other while venting his frustration through gestures to other motorists. For others the time spent waiting is a time spent in renewal and refocus, as the time spent waiting is used in productivity instead of idleness.
Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV) 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 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.
If we look at any time of waiting, be it the slow moving line at a fast food restaurant, a need for direction or intervention, or the moments prior to a big event, waiting can be a good time to remind ourselves about who is really in control – God. We may get a little frazzled about the lack of movement or activity when we feel in control but God is not upset or tired. In fact the more that we turn our focus in times of waiting, the more energized we’ll be when the time comes.
Lamentations 3:25 (ESV) The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
It’s not a matter of “fake it ‘til you make it,” rather it’s a matter of focusing on God, His promises, and His past blessings in your life. It’s a matter of talking with Him and allowing Him to speak to you.
Psalms 46:10 (ESV) "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Exodus 14:13 (ESV) And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.
We rarely choose to stand still or to be still. Waiting is a reminder that God is in the stillness of the moment as much as He is in the fullness of activity. The difference is that we tend to be more aware of His presence in the stillness than in the commotion.
1 Kings 19:11-13 (ESV) 11 And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
As you face the next period to wait, and we all will, instead of focusing on what appears to be the lack of forward progress, treat the wait as a time to hear from God. Treat the wait as a time to be renewed and re-energized by Him, as you are reminded that God is in control and you are not. Although we may become weary in the wait, He never does.
Instead of seeing waiting as the hard part, think of it as the good part where He has made time for you to hear from Him.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
Bob is the pastor of Christ Community Presbyterian Church, Clearwater, Florida. See www.ccpconline.org for church information and listen to Bob’s latest sermons.
Special Message from Jan & Bob Brubaker:
Dear Friends & Family
Saturday, May 8th, Mother's Day Weekend, is the WALK FOR LIFE to raise money to benefit the Pregnancy Center of Pinellas County where Jan is the Office Coordinator. We need sponsors! Our goal is to raise $1,000 -- all of which will go to the Pregnancy Center to help Moms receive free services! You can sponsor for any amount that you want. Most people sponsor at $25 or above. This is a single donation - NOT a per-mile pledge. All donations are 100% tax deductible and will help save lives!
Because we believe in the work at the Pregnancy Center so much we are asking for your help. The Pregnancy Center/New Life Solutions has been a wonderful assistance over the past 25 years to thousands of women, teens and families. It is such a blessing - and all of their services are FREE! Last year, 265 babies were saved in our county!
There are 2 ways to contribute financially:
- To make an online contribution, click on this link: http://www.ministrysync.com/
event/website/?m=415627 - To pledge an amount, email Jan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and include the following info in your email: Pledge Amount $ and your Name, Address, City & Zip Code
There is no need to send or give us money as the Pregnancy Center will send you a reminder after the WALK event. ALL of the money raised goes toward the services at the Pregnancy Center. NONE of the money raised goes toward overhead or administration.
We appreciate your sponsorship!
Godspeed,
Bob & Jan Brubaker
http://www.ministrysync.com/
Thanks so much!
