As I mentioned in part one, I think about the why’s and how’s of where I am where I actually want to be. Sometime in this past week I realized that what I’m striving for is more worldly than anything. It’s not a kingdom building aspect of my life. All of the things I want are surely going to work out and will happen eventually, like that’s just life, I’m just WAITING impatiently and being antsy about it. It’s all fine and dandy to look forward to those things in life, but I need to chill because even if they don’t happen according to God’s will, I still have God Himself and He is sufficient – more than enough! I’ve been provided so so many things in my life, unexpected things, and I couldn’t be more blessed even though I feel like everyday I’m blessed even more sometimes, #whoa.
This week was just a good reminder for me to not be patient and kingdom driven in the WAITING periods of life. I hope that this week you also think about what you strive toward and what your goals are. Maybe look at how you can use the time in the waiting for God’s glorification.
He Is DESERVING.
Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.
Psalm 46:10
When we look at the great and miraculous works of our God, how could we ignore or say that God is not deserving? He is deserving of all praise. It’s hard to imagine just being a person with so much control, wouldn’t that be overwhelming? We weren’t meant to have the power of God, we simply couldn’t handle it. We can’t even handle worldly power, it goes to our heads most of the time. God is just amazing. He knows where we are physically, mentally, spiritually. He knows our needs before we voice them. He knows the plan for our life, and not only that but He created it just as He created us.
Timing is a giant mystery, something we never understand but we must have faith that it is perfect. God is perfect, therefore so is His timing.
He Is INCOMPREHENSIBLE.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts…”
Isaiah 55:8-9
Just as His power is overwhelming and incomprehensible, his timing is as well. Sometimes we’re stuck waiting and we ask God why. Why am I here? Why am I not where you want me? The truth is, we are where we’re supposed to be and just don’t realize it. God has mapped out our path, we just simply follow it. Keeping close to Jesus doesn’t mean that we will always be going through fields of roses. Just as Jesus went through season and season after season of suffering, so will we. What God has planned for us is incomprehensible. If we tried to find all the puzzle pieces on our own, we would honestly miss the whole plan for our life because we were busy doing or attempting to do God’s work. If we could understand God, his ways, his timing, his thoughts, like… what would there be? There would be nothing for God. We need God, we can’t live on this earth without Him.
He Is PEACE.
I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
John 14:27
When we are in a waiting period, waiting on God, we should have peace. God provides peace when we put our faith in Him and His timing. Waiting is something we all have to do constantly and it’s never going away. We don’t have to LOOK for peace anywhere because God has already given it to us, we just have to accept it.
He Gives Us Opportunities To Show MATURITY.
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13
Philippians 4:13 is sooooo so popular. A lot of athletes will have this one verse displayed and nothing against them but… I feel like if you’re not being an ambassador for God on and off the field, maybe your strength isn’t coming from the Lord. In these areas, knowing the full section around popular verses and the context helps. Here in verses 11 through 13, Paul writes that Christ gives him strength to endure trials of every kind. Who wouldn’t need strength to be Paul?? Look at all he went through in pursuit of the Kingdom!!
I feel like if you’re not being an ambassador for God on and off the field, maybe your strength isn’t coming from the Lord.
My header for this section says “He gives us opportunities to show maturity.” Humble and maturity were the two words I felt reading these verses. How humble Paul is here – to be able to have everything or nothing at times, to have that connection with so many people in similar situations. Maturity comes with growing up, being put through trials, and just learning. God gives us opportunities when faced with decisions and trials on how to respond. Choosing what wants either shows your current maturity level or helps you learn to be mature when you’re not.
God’s timing is a huge trial for us because we want what we want now, like fast food. I’m gonna make a plan, tell the cashier my order, and it’s gonna happen quickly, in two minutes my name is called – “Order up for Summer!” Being content in the here and now is what I personally strive for because I’m all about planning – whether it’s planning the next month out or trying to save for years down the road. Maturity shows when contentedness is present. This can go back to PROVIDER in part one. God is our provider and He is all we need when we have (or feel like we have) nothing else.
He Brings CONTENTMENT.
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like a cancer in the bones.
Proverbs 14:30
Contentment can be hard. We think we need something, we have goals, we should be there but rather we’re here. What about our dreams? Why have other people accomplished what I feel like I can only dream about?
it’s important to trust God – His timing, His plan, His peace. God gives us these opportunities of peace and contentment and many times we fall short and get jealous, unhappy, and restless. We question God like spoiled children. God is our source in all things and He will provide all we need to be content.
GOOD, GOOD FATHER.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for the them.
Romans 8:28
Have you been let down? Was your earthly father not someone you could count on to hold things together? Were you an orphan?
The Good News is that God is our Father and He has never, does not, and will never let His children down. He holds the world in His hands. All that He does, all that He allows is for our good and only to help us, not harm us. No matter what we go through, when we feel alone in this crazy world or when we feel like things are just getting out of control, God is with us and He’s got it. Let God have the reigns of your life and let what’s going to happen according to His plan happen.
God is the best Father to have.
He Gives PURPOSE.
The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.
Proverbs 16:4
The struggle is REAL. I struggle some days with having a purpose. Sometimes I just feel lazy – either in my faith or even cleaning my room (drives. me. crazy). Sometimes I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Why am I here if I’m not building God’s kingdom? How do I accomplish that? It gets overwhelming.
What I’ve found is that when I open His word, THE BIBLE, I feel better. It brings me closer to God and when I ask God to open my heart and soul to what He’s telling me, I know what I’m supposed to do. I don’t feel all depressed and alone. I don’t feel so bad about myself and my lack of abilities that I sometimes think hold me back.
God is our one source for purpose. He knows our hearts, where our skills, abilities and talents lie (because He made us 🙂 ) and whatever we need to do, He will give us the opportunity and ability to do that if we let Him.
Reflective Questions:
- How do you feel when you’re in a waiting period? Contentment or restlessness?
- When do you feel most at peace?
- What scriptures are your go-to for reassurances?
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