Yesterday at work I had to go to Protection Services. No, it’s not what you think. When I walked in, my ID badge was printed Exp 7/31/13 and when I walked out the date was changed to 10/1/13. While I’m thankful for the work, I’m surprised by the third extension. This was not in my plan and once again I find myself asking, what is God thinking? Where is this going? The truth circulating in my head was Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Have you ever been there? Grateful but finding the path hazy? Maybe you’re like me and make lists in your mind about what this could mean. Here’s what my human mind suggested. I need more time to learn and work toward my goal of producing online training. That’s got to be it. But what if it isn’t?
In fact, Psalm 135:6 was written for people like me who try to second guess God. “I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.” Could it be that the reason my contract was extended is because God said that’s what pleases Him; so be it? My logical mind tries to piece the irregular pieces of the puzzle together and make them fit into my picture, my design. For the past 156 days I’ve been praying for a specific job and God says wait. One thing I’ve learned, at great pain I might add, is that when God says, “Wait! Stop getting ahead of me.” I know how to tug a little harder on the reins and slow the fired up canter to a lingering plod. I still remember the tiny snap as my heartlight turned on in the year 2000. At that time I was reading one Psalm and one Proverb each day. I was praying for something specific then too and getting very impatient for the answer to come cascading into my life. I wanted to work from home and was praying about finding another job. Psalm 27:14 was like a brilliant light when I read “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” So I waited and waited and waited – then God did the miraculous. I was able to keep my job, but work from home. Who would think that there would be a need for someone to work offsite to test websites and my home was the perfect ’offsite’ solution? “Wait, I say, on the Lord.”
We all know how to wait, don’t we? It’s not easy to wait. Give me patience, Lord, but hurry! My dad used to say don’t ever pray for patience while you wait. You’ll get tribulation. As it turns out, that’s Biblical. Don’t believe me? Take a peek at Romans 5:3 “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.” I wouldn’t say I ‘glory in tribulation’, but I have enough practice in waiting that I’m almost certified. Learning to wait. Learn to recognize the benefits of waiting. God has a plan – Jeremiah 29:11 God’s plan is based on His perfect will – Psalm 135:6 God will give us a stronger heart, stronger faith – Psalm 27:14 While we wait we might not like it – Romans 5:3.
Here’s something to take with you today. God wants us to have a teachable spirit. The benefits are limitless when we wait, learn, and recognize what God says in Isaiah 48:17 “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
Ready for today? Let’s get out there!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aWEhNqnjuY
Because of Grace we Press On