Waiting with purpose and learning to have faith.
This morning I am struggling to find the words to pen down. So, I asked my boyfriend “What does faith mean to you?”
His reply amazed me as he is not Christian but Sikh. “Faith to me is the believe that God is in control of everything and it is not you and me that is in control. I believe in something that I cannot see but I know that it is true. That nothing is possible in life without God. For example: “When I plan something and it is not according to Gods plan or will then it won’t happen. I can plan 20% but there is an 80% chance that God has something better planned for us than my 20% might. And I must understand that Gods time is perfect and He knows what to give and when to give it”
My boyfriend and I are in a season where we are literally believing God for miracles. It’s not the first time we’ve been in this place. Throughout my life, there have been many seasons of waiting.
The more I read the Bible, the more I realize I’m in good company. God’s Word is filled with countless stories of people in waiting. Abraham waited on God to make him the father of the nations. His wife, Sarah, waited on God to bless her with a child. Noah waited on God to stop the rain. David waited on God to give him the throne. Ruth waited on God for her Boaz. The list goes on and on… Waiting is, quite simply, part of life. But if I’m honest, it’s not my favourite part. I’m far too impatient, often wondering if God is going to keep His promises.
And it is in these seasons when I cannot wait that I take my own course and things never work out, and I end up getting into situations I cannot get myself out off, or I get hurt. And then my faith, resiliance and patience get tested over again.
It’s during these times of waiting where I have to remind myself of what I know to be true.
1. I know God is faithful.
Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV) says, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
2. I know God keeps His promises.
Joshua 21:45 (NLT) says, “Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true.”
3. I know God gives purpose in the waiting.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.”
There is much meaning to be found in the pain of waiting. Often, we never know what the purpose is until the promise is fulfilled. Then there are times when we never discover the ultimate purpose of our wait. However, I do know that God doesn’t waste the wait.
While we’re waiting, He is moulding us. He is shaping us. He is transforming us. He is testing our patience and reserve.
We have to remember to take a minute and think about what He has already given us, and we have to be thankful and grateful for everything we have today, and not to complain about what we still don’t have. To remember that what we have today others might only dream of still.
My prayer is that we’ll look for God in the middle of our waiting and allow Him to help us discover the purpose of our wait. Remember that nothing in life is permanent, and every season is an opportunity for a new beginning.