Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
I do not wait well. I get agitated and impatient and that’s probably why I don’t do it very long. I’ve been in a season of waiting on God for what seems like forever. (even though it’s only been a few months) Isn’t it funny that in December of last year, God put it on my heart to choose the word PAUSE for my 2022 focus word? He does have a sense of humor, doesn’t He? Little did I know He’d be making me wait on something and practice my PAUSE. After nearly 6 months, I still am learning.
But I heard a speaker recently who helped me have a new perspective. Steve Carter was Billy Hybel’s successor at Willow Creek. When he left, he felt God literally sent him to the desert. (he moved to Arizona) He spent time waiting on God and learning and listening to what God had for him next.
He said there are 3 things you can do in the desert while you wait:
- Waste the wait
- Hate the wait
- Win the wait
Wow! It was as if a lightbulb lit right over my head like in the cartoons. I have been TOTALLY wasting and hating my wait! I’ve spent most of my time arguing with God and questioning His timing like somehow I know better than He does! I’ve been wandering around in the desert as if God is going to leave me here forever. He’s not. And I know that.
Steve went on to say “expect good…good will come”. For some reason, I’ve just been wallowing in expecting bad…from a GOOD GOD! What’s wrong with me? He said Biblical hope is different than any other hope and here’s why:
- Biblical hope desires something good
- If the tomb is empty, anything is possible
- The resurrection brings confidence and certainty
Is that how I’ve been acting? Confident, certain that the BEST is possible? THAT is how you win the wait. By trusting that God is good and He desires good for you! (and me!) Don’t waste the wait or hate the wait. Let’s WIN the wait. ~Brooke