Wait

Wait

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

“I LOOKED AT the job posting you sent. You’d hate it.” My heart ached for my friend Abby as I sent the early morning text.

“Ugh. You’re right. I would hate it. It’s just so hard to wait. I’m unhappy.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. Stop jumping ahead of God. Wait for him. His resolution is worth waiting for.”

Abby and I tend to take charge and problem solve any task set before us. We’ve both worked in the legal system, and any natural tendency to problem solve has been magnified by years in careers that value finding creative solutions to tough situations. It’s a great trait to have unless God is asking me to stand still and rely upon him; then it becomes a power struggle over who is in control, me or God.

We know this about ourselves, and we support one another’s faith journey in ceding control back to God. We’ve had some version of the above conversation for years: half the time I’m waiting while Abby is reminding me to stay put and stay still, and the other half I’m telling her to do the same. We’ve encouraged one another to wait patiently for God’s move with respect to so many situations—jobs, moves, remodels, children, marriages, health—there is no part of life exempted from waiting. We make situations worse when we leap without God. God’s timing oftentimes comes with a blessing beyond our wildest dreams when compared to what we might have achieved on our own.

It can be tricky to distinguish between when God is saying wait and when he is telling us to jump. The best I can tell you is that God’s voice—that small nudging somewhere deep inside you—will never deviate from Scripture. Drawing near to God through prayer and reading Scripture is vital, and seeking divine counsel from faith mentors can help you hone the ability to hear God’s voice. While God may send confirmation through others, he will speak directly to you.

Lord, give us peace in our hearts, minds, and bodies as we wait on you. Amen.

-Julie

One Good Step: Set aside time this week to be still and quiet before God, practicing hearing his voice over your circumstances.