The Rewards of Waiting
It's been a while hasn't it?
I haven't had any exciting adventures to tell about. Just school. It's all-consuming at the moment but will be over in less than a month now.
Recently, I've been faced with the big question "Where to now?" After graduation, my degree could (and ideally would) take me anywhere in the world I wanted to go. And while I've barely made a dent in my list of places to see, sometimes where you need to be is right where you are.
Isaiah 40:28-31
"Let's get moving!" How many times have we thought this as we stand in line, wait for appointments, or sit in traffic? The truth is, most of us dislike having our plans delayed. Perhaps that is why we struggle to wait on the Lord - we do not want to hear, "Stay where you are until you receive additional orders. Do not make a change without the Spirit's approval. Continue as you are and keep waiting." Yet there are great rewards for not moving ahead of God.
Blessing #1 - We will discover God's will and purpose. Our impatience can cause us to miss out on the best that God has planned and to take detours into situations we would have liked to avoid. The goodness of the Lord will be poured out upon those who choose to be still before Him (Lamentations 3:25).
Blessing #2 - We will acquire supernatural strength for the work. Frequently, the Lord asks us to serve in capacities beyond our natural abilities. Through His Holy Spirit, He will provide the empowerment needed for the task that He has assigned.
Blessing #3 - We will receive answers to prayer. By remaining where we are, we will be rewarded with a response from our God as well as His direction and help (Psalm 40:1-3).
Blessing #4 - We will see God at work. The sovereign Lord - Creator of heaven and earth, giver and sustainer of life - will turn His efforts toward us for our gain and also for the benefit of others (Isaiah 64:4).
Holding still requires effort. God, develop in me a character that is willing to wait.
I haven't had any exciting adventures to tell about. Just school. It's all-consuming at the moment but will be over in less than a month now.
Recently, I've been faced with the big question "Where to now?" After graduation, my degree could (and ideally would) take me anywhere in the world I wanted to go. And while I've barely made a dent in my list of places to see, sometimes where you need to be is right where you are.
Isaiah 40:28-31
"Let's get moving!" How many times have we thought this as we stand in line, wait for appointments, or sit in traffic? The truth is, most of us dislike having our plans delayed. Perhaps that is why we struggle to wait on the Lord - we do not want to hear, "Stay where you are until you receive additional orders. Do not make a change without the Spirit's approval. Continue as you are and keep waiting." Yet there are great rewards for not moving ahead of God.
Blessing #1 - We will discover God's will and purpose. Our impatience can cause us to miss out on the best that God has planned and to take detours into situations we would have liked to avoid. The goodness of the Lord will be poured out upon those who choose to be still before Him (Lamentations 3:25).
Blessing #2 - We will acquire supernatural strength for the work. Frequently, the Lord asks us to serve in capacities beyond our natural abilities. Through His Holy Spirit, He will provide the empowerment needed for the task that He has assigned.
Blessing #3 - We will receive answers to prayer. By remaining where we are, we will be rewarded with a response from our God as well as His direction and help (Psalm 40:1-3).
Blessing #4 - We will see God at work. The sovereign Lord - Creator of heaven and earth, giver and sustainer of life - will turn His efforts toward us for our gain and also for the benefit of others (Isaiah 64:4).
Holding still requires effort. God, develop in me a character that is willing to wait.
posted by Kell | 12:53 PM
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