Living With Purpose

You’ve heard these things before: “Good things come to those who wait” and “No wine before its time” and “Patience is a virtue”. All of these and many more quips have pointed toward the value of waiting and practicing patience in your day to day behavior. We don’t like it sometimes, but it’s an unavoidable fact that sooner or later we’ll have to wait…for something or someone. When you read the narratives of Biblical characters, you’ll find them to be just like us. They went through stretches of life when God seemed long gone from their little corner of the world. Have you ever felt like this? Philosopher, Fred Faber once said, “We must wait on God sometimes for long periods, in the wind and wet, in the thunder and lightning, in the cold and dark. Wait and He will come. He never comes to those who don’t wait.” We fret and even panic sometimes. We express disgust at God’s seemingly inactivity in areas of life that are important to us. But when we choose to hang onto God’s promises we are brought to a place of blessing every single time. The prophet Isaiah writes, “The Lord wants to show you kindness…for He is a God of what is right and fair. And good will come to all those who wait on Him” (Isa. 30:18 NLV). It’s a very interesting fact that in most cases waiting not only refines our character, it brings glory to God.

When we feel confident about something or we get nervous about not acting—why does God make us wait? One reason is that it strengthens our faith. Faith holds significance in all of our lives because “without faith it’s impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6). Pleasing God should be on everyone’s agenda. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as “being sure we will get what we hope for. It’s being sure of what we cannot see”. Faith is not sight. What God promises for you, may or may not have materialized for you just yet, so keep waiting and trusting. We don’t like having to trust someone other than ourselves, even if that someone is God! In the Bible, David, Abraham, and Moses had their hang-ups, but they were also patient. David was anointed king at 16, but didn’t sit on the throne of Israel until he was 30. Abraham was promised a child, but had to endure 25 years of faith-filled waiting before Isaac was born. Moses gave up royalty to deliver his people, but then spent 40 years in the wilderness before God called him into service. God’s power and anointing was given to them because they were patient.

It’s true, good things (blessings) in life come to those who have learned the rewarding lesson of patience. We live in a generation that seeks quick answers. Sometimes we demand it. Blackberries buzz, IPhones ring, instant messages pop-up in the corner of our computers. Because of the 24– Hour broadcasts of news channels we are informed on the latest happenings around the world. What has developed is a society that has come to expect instant results and we’re not used to having to wait very long for what we want. We don’t like to wait simply because it goes against our formed expectations and instant access way of life. God created life and He is the One who made us. When it comes to seeing God work in our own individual lives, he will not be rushed. God is not subject to our time-sensitive demands, nor should we want Him to be. God is infinitely more knowledgeable than we are (Rom. 11:33). We shouldn’t get in a hurry, but should be diligent to do those things we are sure of. Habakkuk 2:4 says, “…be filled with the knowledge of God”. This filling can only take place when we pursue God, accept His time-frames and let Him direct our steps. It comes down to being in control. It’s a matter of giving up control of the situation; letting God dictate the outcome. When things don’t go our way or we fail to achieve, perhaps this is God’s providential way of keeping us from losing His future blessings. We mustn’t get angry with God. But be content in His will knowing in this position we find our greatest joy, peace, and fulfillment. This means, between you and God, there’s an opportunity for an inverse relationship to take place. The less we try to manipulate circumstances and control things, the more God can bless us. God doesn’t want us in a state of frenzy! Even in the most critical need areas of our lives. We must relinquish control and enter into His rest: “For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His” (Heb. 4:10).

Yet, there are times when God speaks and we must act. We can’t expect the best for ourselves when we’re not in-step with Him. Let God’s pace for your life become your natural rhythm. You will feel better, you will think more clearly, and you’ll have less anxiety. Find your periods of quietness. Become inspired by God’s real and unique recharging method; pray and meditate on the verses of the Bible. During your periods of rest and waiting, concentrate on how much God loves you and has provided for you in the past and thank Him for providing for you in the future. When we get ahead of God, we complicate matters and add unnecessary stress. The stress of these added pressures leaves us carrying burdens God never meant for us to bear. It’s always better to wait patiently on the Lord, than to get ahead and have to repair the damage or fix the mistakes. Remember God’s promise: “But they that wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak” (Isa. 40:31). Practice resting yourself in God. Practice depending upon Him for His support and power. Believe He is giving it to you now and don’t get out of touch with it. Yield yourself to it and let it flow through you.

This weekly column is written by Matt Dobson. A graduate of Florida State University, Univ. of West Florida, and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, he is Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Jay, Florida and a 1LT Chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserves. Matt can be reached by email:  rmdobson@liberty.edu. He welcomes your thoughts concerning faith, belief, and Christian living. Visit the Living With Purpose website at www.living-with-purpose.org