"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:20-22
Waiting for Spring
My Ways are Not His
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
Waiting contradicts human nature, especially in our fast-paced culture. One of the most trying lessons in waiting on the Lord is realizing that we cannot control or fix our circumstances. This can be exasperating when we consistently attempt to take charge of our own lives. About a month ago, my husband and I were on the brink of making some critical decisions. We sought counsel from others and spent time praying for guidance. One morning, I found myself bargaining with God about what I thought should happen. My prayer went something like, "But God, if only it would work out this way, then it would be the answer to our problem." A voice in my mind abruptly cut off my line of thinking with " 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8). I probably rolled my eyes at His quick response to my pleading as I replied, "OK God. I get it." I didn't take His answer as no, but a gentle rebuke that I need to wait and trust Him to guide our family. Ultimately, He knows what is best and will work things out in His own way and timing. Giving God the driver's seat goes against the grain of our selfish nature; yet, there is freedom in recognizing He is ultimately in control.
Abiding the Valley
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
Lately, it seems like I've talked to so many women who are waiting with heavy hearts. Some are waiting for husbands or children to come around. Others are waiting for the economy to improve and business to finally profit. Amidst the turmoil of health problems and devastating news, I have friends who are waiting for insurance to approve an MRI, for test results to determine the next step, and to find out how much cancer there is. Many of us are waiting for that breakthrough that just hasn't come through yet. Some days my heart is burdened for the trials that we all endure.
It can be despairing to wait in the dark valley for our circumstances to get better as we search for a glimmer of hope to carry us through. When I have struggled with waiting on God, I often meditate on Psalm 23. I close my eyes and envision my Shepherd leading me through the darkness with His staff of comfort. Just imagining lying down in green pastures before the glory of God brings peace to my heart when everything within me tells me to panic. Only God can create a paradigm of peace that brings light to the darkness.
The Fulfillment of God's Promises
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16
The last four years has been an agonizing lesson in waiting for me and my family. Honestly, if it weren't for our unwavering faith and the promises of God, I think we would have all wanted to give up and succumb to a tidal wave of despair. When the ebb and flow of heartache washes over us, we can either be swept away or hang on to the rock of God's promises. The hope I've found in God's word has been that rock for me, keeping me grounded. I've come to realize that no matter what happens in this lifetime, I have hope beyond measure in things that are unseen.
Waiting on the fulfillment of God's promises is like expecting a baby. When I discovered I was pregnant 15 years ago, it seemed surreal, and I was more than a little scared. As time went on, I gradually adjusted to the idea of carrying a baby as well as the hormone and biological changes of pregnancy. My body blossomed with the reality of my situation becoming more evident each day. Soon, I felt the baby kick for the first time--a glimpse of the unseen wonder of new life to come. Then, towards the end, when my stomach felt as huge as a boat, it seemed like forever before I would see my precious bundle. Excitement and fear were mingled with my anticipation for cherished wonder. When the baby was ready, I endured the excruciating pain of labor and childbirth. Afterwards, with weary breathless joy, I held my precious baby for the first time. The fulfillment of all my waiting seemed to wash away the memory of the sting of pain in delivering my sweet miracle.
Likewise, the reality of God's future glory sometimes seems too distant to be real; yet, like gentle flutters in the womb, I catch glimpses of the unseen. A dear friend of mine has been suffering for almost two years with seemingly unfair circumstances. Last week, she sent me an email that reflected her despair mingled with hope as she wrote, "I would like the second coming to happen this week. Is that too much to ask?" I know all too well what she means as I anticipate the fulfillment of Revelation 21:3-4: "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." When we view our lives from the lens of eternity and the promise of Christ's return to conquer evil and set all things straight, our spirits are renewed. We see everything from a whole new perspective when we realize our days on earth are merely a speck in comparison to His eternal glory.
"Be patient, then brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient, and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." James 5:7-8
