I'm Waiting

I like to do things fast. I like to drive fast. I often find it difficult to stay under the posted speed limit on an open road, so cruise control helps keep me legal. I prefer to walk fast –no slowly strolling through the mall for me. If I have to be at mall, it’s because I’m on a specific mission. Let’s get where we’re going, get it done, and get out. I read fast. I type fast. And in spite of being from Texas where we’re supposed to talk in a slow drawl, I generally speak fast. Have you ever been on DiveBomb Alley, the huge swing at Six Flags that lets you fall at about 80 mph? Swinging fast is fabulous! You know one thing that it is impossible to do fast? Waiting.

I love that quick line in The Princess Bride when Vizzini exclaims, "I'm waiting!" It drives me crazy to have to wait. It might be waiting in traffic that is not moving at all; waiting in a doctor's office way past the time for my appointment; waiting for my tax refund when it should have arrived weeks ago; waiting on my computer while that irritating rainbow wheel spins incessantly; waiting for someone to return a phone call or an email; waiting to see where God is leading us next; waiting for healing, for provision, for deliverance, for a word from God --- we all have to wait for something. Maybe you are better at waiting than I am, but I suspect most of us have some degree of difficulty with waiting.

The Bible verse that I have been meditating on and reciting to myself lately is "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14 NIV). Sometimes we may feel like God is so slow in moving and that we have been waiting so long for Him to move, to speak, to heal, to bless, to deliver, to reveal…but “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you…” (2 Pet 3:9 NIV). Learning to wait…learning to be patient…learning to wait patiently is part of our being conformed to the character of our God. Some have to wait longer than others. Abraham waited a very long time, but he finally received what God had promised him “after waiting patiently” (Heb 6:15 NIV). It could be a long wait. It could require a great deal of patience.

So, whatever it is that you’re waiting for, take time today to be still, to be calm, to sit in the presence of Lord, and let's remind each other to “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

My Savior's Always There for Me

We have about a week left in Texas, and I had the privilege of spending one of my final two Sundays here leading worship at Southwood Christian Church. One of the songs I felt led to use is one that has become particularly meaningful to me. To be honest, it never really grabbed my attention when it was constantly playing on the radio several years ago, but it has come to mean much more to me during this time of transition.

Aaron Shust's song "My Savior, My God" is a 2007 re-make of an 1875 hymn written by Dorothy Dora Greenwell. This song begins by saying "I am not skilled to understand what God has willed, what God has planned." Let me assure you that I can sing this line from the heart! We are in the midst of so many changes, transitions, frustrations, and uncertainties -- I cannot see what God has willed or planned here.

I know for a fact that there are others who are going through trials and events far more difficult than what we have been walking through. Regardless of the trial, I'm pretty sure that most of us have things in our lives that we just do not understand --things that we can't yet see any purpose in, things that just don't seem to make sense.

Fortunately, Shust's song does not end with the line about our inability to understand. We don't understand ---BUT, to continue the song: "I only know at His right hand stands One who is my Savior...[and] my Savior loves, my Savior lives, my Savior is ALWAYS there for me." What a wonderful assurance! Even when I don't understand, I know Jesus is alive...He loves me...He has saved me...He is right beside me...He is always with me...He is Immanuel. May we keep that assurance in mind at all times, no matter our circumstances and regardless of whether or not we understand those plans or circumstances.

"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me" (Ps 16:8 NLT).

Trust in the Lord and Do Good

When my third-grader was three-years old, she had one memory verse to learn each month at her preschool. For some reason, she latched onto the verse from October. For the remainder of the school year, if you asked her what her memory verse was, she would always quote this same verse ---"Trust in the Lord and do good" (Psalm 37:7 NIV). (If you click on the link, you can get the full effect and hear it in her sweet little three-year-old voice.)

This verse has obviously had my attention for awhile, but now it will be code for the wise message contained in the entire psalm, which is a word of wisdom for all of us who struggle with fear, doubt, worry, or frustration over the actions of others.

In reflecting on the wise counsel of this psalm, I wrote out my own paraphrase of Psalm 37:

Stop getting all worked up and in a panic because of people who do evil. They amount to nothing and soon they will disappear. Instead, trust the Lord. Do what He says and follow His ways. Enjoy life where He has planted you. Enjoy resting in His presence. Know in your heart that He loves you and He wants what is best for you. Trust Him that He will provide for you. Follow His leading and His ability to enable you to have a right relationship with Him. Know that if you have been wronged, He will vindicate you in a way that all will see. 

Wait patiently in stillness and in silence in His presence. Stop worrying about whether the enemy will succeed or if they will get what is coming to them. Let go of all your anger and frustration over what they have done, and leave vengeance to God. Soon the wicked will be gone and those who seek the Lord will all live together in peace.

God is well aware of the actions of the wicked. He knows their hearts, and He will not let wickedness and injustice go unpunished. In fact, the very weapons they try to use to attack God's people will come back on them instead. 

Don't worry --God holds us, His children, in His hand where He can protect us. He has plans for us and no one can thwart His plans. He will not forsake us or desert us. He will care for us and bless us. The Lord knows that we struggle, but He loves His children who seek to follow Him. He holds us by the hand and helps us up when we stumble. He will not abandon us to failure. God is faithful and can be trusted to keep His promises.

Even when we only speak words of wisdom and justice, the wicked will still try to attack, but the Lord will protect us. The wicked cannot condemn us because there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  

Life may become difficult. The situation may look dismal, but God has a plan. Wait for that plan. Be patient. Remain obedient to Him. There is a bright future for all of us who follow the Lord. The wicked have no such future because there is absolutely no hope apart from God. He is our anchor, our source of security and hope. He can be relied upon, especially in the midst of a trial or storm. Take refuge in Him. Stay close to Him. He will deliver.

This psalm about control. Who or what am I going to allow to control me: fear, anger, anxiety, worry, frustration, wicked people who are destined for destruction? Or the Lord, who is faithful, merciful, and compassionate...my Father and Creator who loves me, protects me, leads me and guides me, helps me and provides for me?

"Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name" (Psalm 86:11 NIV). And may I always "Trust in the Lord and do good."