Wait. Patiently.
Waiting.
I’m not sure I have met anyone, or rather I don’t think I have ever loved the idea of waiting. In fact, over the past 4 years the idea of waiting has been a theme God and I have been walking hand in hand together in.
3 years ago I was asked to come lead worship for a women’s retreat in Maui. Before you say, “must be nice” (Which it was!…A once in a lifetime opportunity), I was also walking through an already long season of discerning some major life changes. Here I was standing in this incredible place experiencing an incredible opportunity, while holding in tension needing to wait upon the Lord for clarity around one of the biggest decisions in our life. It was on that trip, standing on the edge of that beach that I sense God asking me to step into the water, fully submerse myself as if being baptized and come out of the water anew. I was baptized in water a long time ago, so this was not a re-dedication of that moment. It was more like the Lord inviting me to trust Him enough to enter into the waters. I was all alone at the beach and for whatever reason, I felt embarrassed and made sure no one was around me. I jumped in, well more like I fell in, went completely under as I fumbled down and emerged with joy. Honestly, it was as dramatic and hilarious as it sounds. As I was walking out the water onto the shore, I sensed the Lord so clearly speak to my heart and say “get ready by being with me.” I didn’t know totally what that meant other than that our season was about to shift and the only way I was going to get through it was to be with Him through it all. And not like our nice Christian way of saying “I’m just being with Jesus”, like our often well meaning “prayin for ya” but don’t actually do it really - kind of thing. It felt like an urgent warning of kindness…a road of further waiting and challenge is ahead and it will require deep intention of being with Him.
A month ago I was reading Psalm 40, and the first verse struck me full stop. “I waited patiently before the Lord…” Period. Stop right there. Do what now?
It was honestly a moment of God’s kindness that genuinely led me to sweet repentence.
I was faced with the reality that I am ok with waiting before the Lord (sometimes, mostly, likely) but patiently is a whole other concept. And yet, the psalmist is saying don’t just wait but for your benefit do it with a spirit infused gift of patience. Friend…I cannot patiently wait on my own. My willpower can’t produce patience without the Spirit working in and through me. I can do all the deep breathing and distraction I can think of, but knowing myself well enough I will end up moving from waiting to impatience — an insert myself into whatever before allowing God to do His work.
If you keep reading Psalm 40, the Psalmist beautifully begins to describe what happens in a posture of patience - this is what I like to think of as the fuel of Spirit infused patience. Here is a few thoughts on the first handful of verses.
vs 1- prayer : the cries of real raw authentic need. This practice exchanges our self-absorbed will and places God in the place of Lord - provider. It’s also communion with Him, which builds intimacy.
vs 2 - recalling the journey up until this point : There is SO MUCH POWER in remembering what God has done in your life and in the lives of others. This speaks truth to His character, His nature, and His ability to redeem and restore. From the smallest of things to the largest of things.
vs 3 - a new song : We all love a new bop and the classics. Singing has massive physical, emotional and mental effects by God's design…but what I love about this idea of a “new song” is a reminder that God is doing something “new”. He is at work here and now!
vs 4 - we are blessed when we choose to trust : Our faith is built when we trust in Him!
and one last thought from vs 5 - many are His wonders…so many! : this is an active acknowledgement of His goodness, greatness, power and authority.
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Why am I sharing all of this?
Well my friend, waiting is not a matter of “if”, its a matter of “when”.
I am sure most of us are waiting on something right now. My life lately has seemed to go from one door of waiting to another door of waiting. A perpetual waiting. I am starting to think that the answers we crave in our waiting are not the whole picture He is inviting us into. Before you get discouraged, I will remind us all that God is one who brings us out, pulls us through, redeems, restores, authors beautiful stories and still does miracles! So do not become discouraged in waiting!!! He sees you and is with you with a steadfast love.
Because God is God - incredible in all His ways….He offers us a gift in the waiting. Patience.
Patient endurance and perseverance that He builds upon and carries with us from season to season. From waiting to waiting. He literally wastes nothing. He uses seasons of waiting to invite us to grow in our trust in His greatness, a deeper understanding of His power and gives us a fresh melody of praise. All of this is for our good and His glory.
Consider today what you may be holding in the waiting.
Invite God into every bit of it. Ask Him in your most raw and honest prayer to uncover all your need and infuse your mind and heart with His powerful Spirit to give you courage and strength as you wait - patiently.
