***I’d published this piece awhile ago and feel led of God to release it again, convinced that someone somewhere needs it, just like I do.***
In the past few weeks, I’ve met several precious souls who, like me, are in that seemingly dreadful state where we’ve been cornered by Abba’s gentle command to wait. Their complaints, fears, and anxiety spoke to me a lot.
Waiting often unnerves the emotions and impatience can tempt us to throw our obedience to the wind and press us to just do something.
Surrendering to God can sometimes bestow a feeling of helplessness that traumatizes the soul. This traumatic feeling could be a sign that something is wrong within us.
God always longs to pry our hearts from childishness and our hands from directing that immaturity into potentially injurious places or people. Spiritual tantrums which are common in moments like these are witness to the presence of fear.
Independence is power. But power, without learning lessons in control, is a good recipe for confusion and utter destruction. Much like wealth without the cross of Christ.
A friend asked, “Uche, God gave me a brain useful for analyzing issues. Waiting like this seems utterly unreasonable and ludicrous. Don’t you think we are over-spiritualizing this thing?”
If you’ve been here, you’ll agree it can be tough letting patience screw us towards perfection. James 1:4
Maybe that’s why God had to intentionally put Adam into a deep sleep (Gen 2:21) before He could produce the wonder he named Eve.
It can be very frustrating, waiting without knowing why or what next. Something in us craves for explanations because we want control. We want to analyze the issues ourselves and judge the choices others are making that affect us.
Faith is not logical, but thankfully, the common sense of our faith suggests we are giving our preference to a God whose ways are beyond our imagination. He knew the end before He began the beginning.
Lazarus had to die, and Jesus said, “I’m glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there…” John 11:15 Really?? He may seem to be missing around you now, but He’s NEVER absent.
As his two sisters, friends, and neighbors waited for Jesus, they watched him suffer in silence and eventually die. One can only imagine their excruciating pain and confusion. Jesus knew all that and still waited for His friend to pass away. But how did that story end? Jesus said to Mary, “…If you believe, you will see the glory of God.” John 11:40
God’s relentless work to bring us and keep us at that place of rest and waiting, must challenge our faith and press us into earnest longing for His glory more than our comfort. The big question is, do we implicitly trust His fatherly love and leadership?
“They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either.” Acts 16:6-7 [The Message]
This team of powerful missionaries was stopped twice by the Holy Spirit on their way to doing great works for God. Two different directions were blocked on a single trip. For those of us who want to push through with our own agenda, this is an instructive story, isn’t it?
They were sold out to the task given, but they needed divine directions for maximum fruitfulness. Why did God stop them? He doesn’t owe them an explanation.
He’s the LORD of the Harvest. If we keep missing that, we’ll struggle endlessly to hear Him or relinquish full control to Him, even in matters in which we consider ourselves experts or in situations where we are certain of the outcome.
When was the last time God stopped you from saying or doing what you believed was right?
When last did He impede you from pursuing an opportunity you felt sure was ready to be taken?
His work in guiding and guarding (and even gagging) us serves to build our trust, love, patience, self-control, and meekness. This will ultimately strengthen our relationship with Him and others.
“Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all…” Proverbs 3:5-7 [The Message]
Let our surrendering be joyful and may it grant God that platform He seeks, to reveal His matchless wisdom and glory.
Kingdom Exploits With Uche 