Waiting can be very difficult.
Even for the most secure Christian who knows that God has a plan for their life and He is their hope and salvation, waiting is waiting.
To wait is "to stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens." Another definition includes the phrase "to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens." Synonyms include hold back, bide one's time, mark time, stand by, sit tight, hold one's horses, holding pattern, detention.
Honestly, reading through those synonyms and the actual definition of "waiting" helps me understand why it's so hard to wait.
I am a doer by nature. I don't let grass grow under my feet. My accolade at the end of last school year was "The Energizer Bunny" because I kept going and going and going.
I would say our season of waiting began last spring as Joel started sending out resumes and applying for pastoral positions.
After 64 resumes had been sent and little was heard back, it was hard to expect anything and easy for doubts to creep in. But, our hope was in the Lord. There were days we would ask God "are You sure You said this is what I was supposed to do? supposed to pursue?" There were days it felt silly to be hoping for something different. We were content with what we had and where we were. But, in all honesty, Joel was working part-time and I was working full-time. We wanted that to be reversed. So, we kept hoping and praying and seeking.
Those are the actions of waiting. While one definition says "remaining inactive", it doesn't mean you are completely still, doing nothing as you wait. Even in line at a store, your weight gets shifted back and forth, your mind is working, sometimes you're talking to those around you who are also waiting.
Talking to God and listening for His voice, trusting in His provision and plan, reading the Word and seeking wisdom, sending resumes, replying to job postings, talking to friends and making phone calls--even when you're waiting, you're often doing.
God opened the door. He made a way. He connected us with Rivermont Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia and here we are.
A few weeks after we arrived, I applied to substitute teach and sent off my packet to get certified to teach in Virginia. Then I waited. I got a call and they said they would schedule a training. No date. And I waited. My certification was held up by a transcript. I fixed that and then waited. No date. Just waiting.
I was called Friday and given a date for training--next week. Yay! This morning I woke up to a letter on our front porch. It's my Virginia teaching license. Woohoo!
There's more waiting in the future. Of this I am sure. But, it feels so good to finally get that thing you've been waiting for.
Friends, if you are waiting for something today, don't give up hope. Waiting is hard, even when you hope in the Lord and are trusting Him for guidance and provision. It doesn't mean you're doing something wrong when you admit it's hard to wait. It means you're human and you're growing. Over the last six months as I've waited my relationship with the Lord has grown as I've talked to Him about it, searched the Word for wisdom and answers, renewed my trust in Him to guide us, and reaffirmed my belief that He is good and His timing is perfect. Whatever you're waiting for today--restored relationship, a job, a healing-- don't give up. "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
Even for the most secure Christian who knows that God has a plan for their life and He is their hope and salvation, waiting is waiting.
To wait is "to stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens." Another definition includes the phrase "to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens." Synonyms include hold back, bide one's time, mark time, stand by, sit tight, hold one's horses, holding pattern, detention.
Honestly, reading through those synonyms and the actual definition of "waiting" helps me understand why it's so hard to wait.
I am a doer by nature. I don't let grass grow under my feet. My accolade at the end of last school year was "The Energizer Bunny" because I kept going and going and going.
I would say our season of waiting began last spring as Joel started sending out resumes and applying for pastoral positions.
After 64 resumes had been sent and little was heard back, it was hard to expect anything and easy for doubts to creep in. But, our hope was in the Lord. There were days we would ask God "are You sure You said this is what I was supposed to do? supposed to pursue?" There were days it felt silly to be hoping for something different. We were content with what we had and where we were. But, in all honesty, Joel was working part-time and I was working full-time. We wanted that to be reversed. So, we kept hoping and praying and seeking.
Those are the actions of waiting. While one definition says "remaining inactive", it doesn't mean you are completely still, doing nothing as you wait. Even in line at a store, your weight gets shifted back and forth, your mind is working, sometimes you're talking to those around you who are also waiting.
Talking to God and listening for His voice, trusting in His provision and plan, reading the Word and seeking wisdom, sending resumes, replying to job postings, talking to friends and making phone calls--even when you're waiting, you're often doing.
God opened the door. He made a way. He connected us with Rivermont Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia and here we are.
A few weeks after we arrived, I applied to substitute teach and sent off my packet to get certified to teach in Virginia. Then I waited. I got a call and they said they would schedule a training. No date. And I waited. My certification was held up by a transcript. I fixed that and then waited. No date. Just waiting.
I was called Friday and given a date for training--next week. Yay! This morning I woke up to a letter on our front porch. It's my Virginia teaching license. Woohoo!
There's more waiting in the future. Of this I am sure. But, it feels so good to finally get that thing you've been waiting for.
Friends, if you are waiting for something today, don't give up hope. Waiting is hard, even when you hope in the Lord and are trusting Him for guidance and provision. It doesn't mean you're doing something wrong when you admit it's hard to wait. It means you're human and you're growing. Over the last six months as I've waited my relationship with the Lord has grown as I've talked to Him about it, searched the Word for wisdom and answers, renewed my trust in Him to guide us, and reaffirmed my belief that He is good and His timing is perfect. Whatever you're waiting for today--restored relationship, a job, a healing-- don't give up. "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
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