In light of our recent talks on brave, my heart was reminded of this post I wrote several years back. At first glance, perhaps it seems confusing or contradictory:
“You’re preaching about waiting? I thought you were talking about living brave + stepping out in faith?” But there is no confusion or contradiction. We do step forth boldly to obey when He calls. The timing, how it all plays out, that is not ours to control. The key to it all? Drawing near to Him.
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{print available here}
Isaiah 40 is perhaps my favorite chapter in the whole Bible. The last few verses of the chapter are the first I ever memorized, as a new Christian in my teen years:
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
This is the version I memorized those years ago, and I’ve always read from the New International Version (NIV). But I love the New King James (NKJV) translation of those last few words, and as I’ve pondered over this post, they kept coming to me:
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.
I recently read an article by Paul Tripp, which was posted on AmericaWorld’s blog {AWAA is the international adoption agency through which my best friend adopted her Ethiopian sons. We also have other friends adopting through them}. While AWAA posted the article in reference to the long adoption wait, I know it applies to YOU today.
And it applies to me.
God is ever asking us to wait, but how often we fail to be present in the wait; to see the wait for what it is, as having a distinct and glorious purpose.
As you wait, tell yourself again and again that you have not been singled out. Remind yourself that you are part of a vast company of people who are being called to wait. Reflect on the biblical story. Abraham waited many years for his promised son. Israel waited 420 years for deliverance from Egypt, then another 40 years before they could enter the land God had promised them. God’s people waited generation after generation for the Messiah, and the church now waits for his return. The whole world groans as it waits for the final renewal of all things that God has promised. In ministry, it is vital to understand that waiting is not an interruption of God’s plan. It is his plan. And you can know this as well: the Lord who has called you to wait is with you in your wait. He hasn’t gone off to do something else, like the doctor you’re waiting to see. No, God is near, and he provides for you all that you need to be able to wait.
These words, that “waiting is not an interruption of God’s plan. It is his plan.” hit my heart deeply. Do we hurry off towards the next thing and miss the very goodness of God in the midst of this time? This moment? This season of waiting?
Thank you to my dear, precious friend Kristine who shared it with me {a few years back now!}.
Blessings today, to you, right now, in the very middle of whatever it is you’re waiting for, my dear sister.
It’s about the process, and His work in the midst of the wait.
How have you experienced blessing in the midst of a season of waiting in your life? In what areas do you sense Him asking you to step out in faith? In what areas do you hear Him asking you to be patient?
Will you be brave + share with us in the comments below?
-love, lauren
{sharing over at amanda’s place + serving joyfully}
revised post from the archives
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Sometimes one of the bravest things we can do is wait on Him friend. So love your heart. Blessings.
Love this Lauren. This is ringing so true for me these days. God has taught me so much through the season of waiting. Thanks for sharing this! Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!
Megan recently posted…Craft Organization Ideas & Simple Faith Through God’s Word
I am in a waiting/resting. I think I’ve told you before that I have sought the Lord for a certain thing for years. Now, He has me resting. This morning I read Psalm 46:10a – Cease striving and know that I am God…So here I wait…rest…trusting in Him and His timing.
Candace Hendrick recently posted…Give a McDonalds Breakfast a Boost
I remember you commenting that on an older post, Candace. I love that verse + love your heart, knowing the season you’re in and where He’s asking you to be still.
After my husband’s motorcycle accident and my illness, I felt a strange calm. I thought of everything I hadn’t done and couldn’t do during this season and I was okay. I just felt like God was saying– REST. BE STILL.
This is a beautiful post; thank you!
Auntie Em recently posted…A Sweet and Powerful Thing
Wow, that is incredible, Em. Thank you for sharing with us. I look forward to heading your way + reading more of your story.
Love this! God’s really leading me to take a big step of faith right now, and there are soooo many unknowns that really quite scare me. But His strength is greater. I just have to hold on to that and know that He gives us the strength, just as His word promises.