In God's Time

I read a devotion this morning about ‘God doing something new’, and it caused me pause.  Having lost my husband over a year ago, I’ve struggled some with ‘what do I do now?”  I feel like I’m in this ‘in-between place’ which is hard to describe.  On some days I’m in a tunnel which hides both the entry and the exit.  Other days I see a glimmer of sunshine on one end and gives me the faith and hope I need to keep moving forward, yet I’m not there yet!

WAITING IS HARD

Waiting is hard and doing something while we wait, which we believe is the ‘right thing’, yet still undefined, can be a bit intimidating!  Oddly enough, however, I don’t really feel like I’m floundering; just waiting.

We live in a culture trained by microwaves, overnight shipping and instant results from the computer, which runs counter to waiting….especially if it seems excruciatingly slow. Biblically, this is exactly as it can happen.  Joseph endured years of imprisonment before God revealed his purpose.  The disciples, great followers of Jesus didn’t understand all of Jesus’ teaching until after the Resurrection!  God doesn’t live on our time line; He has His own, and it often runs counter to our current culture. He is not in a hurry!

TRUSTING IN GOD'S TIMING

I admit, there are days when I think, it’s been over a year and still I’m just ‘here’.  I’m not crying everyday, and that’s a plus; I am able to finally write again; and my heart is healing, of that I’m certain.  But I’ve asked God again and again, “What am I supposed to be doing?  or Where do I belong?”  Finally came the moment when I said,  ‘Okay, God I don’t know what you’re doing or how you’re going to do it, but I thank you in advance!”  And even after saying that, I wonder how long ‘it’ will take until I know how everything is going to turn out!  Things just work so slowly!

LEARNING

I think I’m learning that God doesn’t move fast—or at our speed because it’s not about ‘settling, being in control, or even about accomplishment’ . — It’s about transforming me into the person he wants me to be, for what ever service he wants me to offer!  Preparation is a process; not a waste of time.  Even Jesus waited thirty years before he fulfilled his calling….to the cross!  Why should I/we be any different?  I heard it said once, ‘God moves at the speed of wisdom, not urgency.’  

Waiting stretches faith (and ultimately deepens it), creates dependence (removes the ‘I can do it myself’ syndrome), exposes impatience (I’m there sometimes), and develops active trust (I’m trying real hard to be here!)

My greatest fear, I think, is missing God’s timing!  God’s plan for growth and development feels slow, and sometimes inconsistent.  But he wants my surrender, not my grumblings!  His plan for my life is not an accident; it’s something he’s planned since the beginning of time.  He knows more about me than I know about myself.  It’s not even about me, it’s about Him!  

HAVING FAITHFUL AND TRUST

It’s about being faithful and trusting that God knows the beginning from the end.  He’s the Alpha and the Omega, and He has a plan for his Kingdom.  He knows exactly what He wants from me and it’s up to me to allow that molding, maturing and growth to be done in his Sovereign will, and in his Kingdom time. It’s in this place ‘God will do something new’ and I will be ready!

Photo Credit: Preparing For God's Service 

Photo Credit: Light at the end of a tunnel 

Photo Credit: God Is Good