“Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”
If you’re like me you don’t like sitting around waiting. I’m the sort of guy who wants to bust a move on every day and make something happen. Often when I have to go to the doctor’s office or another appointment and I know that I may be waiting for a period of time I will take something else, some busy work or even something fun, with me to do. That just makes sense as a good use of my time.
What do we do when God says hang loose, or wait? I’m thinking he probably doesn’t want us just sitting idly and twiddling our thumbs, right? So, the question came up for me a while ago… what do we do when He says wait?
The one thing we must do when God says hang loose is ask God what He wants us to do.
Does this seem like common sense? I thought so… but I didn’t figure it out right away.
Today has been one of these days for me. I really wanted to write something to post and publish, but God said wait to me. I didn’t really want to… plus I promised I would put something juicy together… well, as you can see that didn’t happen this morning. When I prayed about it God gave me this instead 😉
My rule of thumb on writing here at I’m Just Thinkin’ is that I’m only going to do this as long as I feel like God is inspiring it… I’m not going to just throw something up there for the sake of writing another post. If you read my “about” page you’ll see that I believe my writing is inspired by God… and that this ability is a spiritual gift. So I’m going to strive to do something good with this gift. Always.
Maybe this post isn’t all that profound to you… in the past, I have often allowed myself to be distracted when God says wait. That’s not always the best thing to do, that may be simply taking action but in the wrong direction. The next time you feel like God says wait remember to ask Him what He would like for you to do while you’re waiting… if you don’t hear a clear answer, do something really good with your time, something you know will honor Him.
Every time I think about waiting this song comes up… Everlasting God… the verses just seem to gently reverberate to me… it says our strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord… and it contains one of my favorite Bible verses…
“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 or 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.” Isaiah 40:28-31
Happy Saturday, it’s time to celebrate!!!
What do you have to celebrate and thank God for today?
Waiting is a true test of patience. Unfortunately I am pretty good at being idle, but I am working on it. One thing I learned that the pause in action is part of His plan. The pause, delay or whatever may be for the good of all. Think about the folks who were late to work in NYC on 9/11. One person had a shoe issue, another had to get the doughnuts, etc.. Also why were my family and I in NYC and left on 9/9? I believe they were late and we did not experience the horror due to that being His plan. So when traffic jams in front of me, can’t find a parking space or I am just a bit late for something, I know there is a reason and I just smile and wait idle.
Wow, yea, we never really know how God is at work but we can always know that He is good!
on another note… you should let you wife know she’s fortunate that we aren’t next door neighbors… a wardrobe malfunction AND
“time to make the doughnuts…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=petqFm94osQ
lol… classic!!
It’s hard but so important to wait when God tells us to. Often it’s for our own good but we just don;t realize it. Great song.
Yea, fortunately when we do wait and we find it was for our own good it is a good positive reinforcement, right? Good point, Dan!
Today’s post must really have been God-inspired. I love the thought that if you’re waiting on God and He hasn’t told you anything specific, then do something that honors Him. Perfect advice, Chris.
Thanks Carol, this was definitely from Him… as I read it over again I am amazed!!!
Good post, Chris.
I, too, remember a time when God told me to wait. The world kept telling me to do one thing, but God kept telling me to do something else. It didn’t make sense to me at the time, but He also used the piece of Scripture you mentioned above with me multiple times. In one instance, that verse came up five times in a week in all different types of settings.
Yep, that sounds like a God thing for sure Michael, thanks for sharing!!