Daily Journal: 12 September

Beyond the Waiting

How long, Lord? How long?

If you’ve said this once, you’ve said it many times.

God has a plan. Do you trust Him?

Holding on and living beyond the waiting that we used to have patience for, is hope. Holding on when we feel our loss so deeply, is trust. Holding on when we don’t see what we hope for but we still carry a seed in our heart, is faith.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Confidence is having faith in God. Assurance doesn’t include fear, doubt, worry or frustration.

Living beyond the waiting is to continue growing in God, to continue searching God for new understanding and being mouldable in His hands. It is to continue reaching out for Him, knowing that when we’re ready and the time is right, He will release us into more of what He has for us.

More is just another step forward.

Live as if we have our shoes on ready to head out the door even if we’re not going anywhere yet. Live as if we’re waiting to hear news tomorrow, until tomorrow comes. Make sure we’re ready for tomorrow but living with purpose today.

In the waiting, we can sometimes get focused on something we’re waiting for and use God as a vehicle. He isn’t the vehicle. He’s the engine.

The more of what God has for us, includes more of God Himself.

As we pray for our future, God will develop us today. Receive His development, which can be painful, with thanksgiving, with patience, and with singing.

Isaiah 51:11 (NIV)

Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

In between the rescuing and the entering, is the journey of more.

Beyond the waiting is being able to celebrate the journey. “They enter with singing.” We can’t enter with singing, if we’re not singing along the way and celebrating our journey.

Gladness and joy will overtake you, too. Sorrow and sighing will flee away. Keep singing your song of hope, of trust, of faith as you walk out your journey and God will complete what He has commissioned for your more.

Isaiah 58:11 (TLB)

And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.