August 10, 2012
Transformational Thought
Football is a violent sport. I played it, didn’t like it. I played quarterback, luckily, and would hand the ball to our running back who would move toward the designated “hole” to advance the ball. But at first, no hole existed. Huge angry people were in his way, blocking his path to hurt him. So, his first reaction was to run somewhere else and find a better path where no one could tackle him.
The coach would yell, “Chris, trust your linemen. They’re blocking the huge angry guys but it takes a second or two. By the time you get to the line, the hole will be there. You have to run hard, waiting for the hole to open, not just trusting, but really knowing your teammates will accomplish their job and you can run through the hole at top speed. If you wait and stand still to see if the linemen really do their job, and then start running, it will be too late and the hole will close back up. You will miss your opportunity and get crushed.”
Waiting on God has similar principles. To wait on God means taking action. Take the ball He gives you, then start running toward the hole He is opening while directing your attention to Him in hopeful anticipation of what He will do next. It means trusting Him with every part of your being instead of trying to figure out everything on your own. We are often afraid of or distracted by our discomfort, pain, need for a quick fix, wanting to be in control, and our “I need it now mentality.” These distractions cause us to hesitate or interfere with our ability to go full speed as we actively wait and trust God to do His thing. Satan, the world system, and our flesh are always trying to distract us with interference. Our spiritual radar gets jammed and has trouble tuning in to His communication and action in our life.
Remember the Israelites, they took their ball of freedom, were running to the Red Sea, the Egyptians were after them from behind. Satan and their flesh are telling them they are doomed. The line looked blocked, but Moses had faith God would open the hole, and other than the cross, the Red Sea parting was one of the biggest holes ever opened for the Israelites to run through. And like most holes, it had a finite window of opportunity to be opened. You need to be on God’s timeline to be blessed by it.
Tithing is a very concrete application. Do you tithe as you are called to, then trust God to provide? Or do you wait for God to provide before tithing? The second way usually results in missing a big opportunity God has planned for you, just like the running back who waits too long because he lacks trust.
Today, be patient when something different or stressful occurs … or when what you should do is unclear. Remember, God speaks to us through our circumstances, so pay attention and actively listen to Him. Take action and read what He is saying to you based on who He is. Then respond … rather than react based on your limited skills, insight, and ability to read the future. Look for the light He will shine on your Stepping Stones. Move toward these opportunities knowing He will do His part. Just sitting and waiting will cause you to miss blessings that He will have to put back on the shelf. Trusting He will open the path to safety is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I confess that one of my many shortcomings is my lack of patience. I read in Your Word that you promise many blessings to those who wait on You … for those whose hope is in You. I pray for Your help. Increase my patience and let You shine Your light on the pathway You’ve designed for my life. I know that waiting on You is active and I need to move toward You. Enable me to glorify You by living in deep dependence on You. As I wait, help me to enjoy You. It is only in Your presence that I will find the fullness of joy. I pray this in the name of my savior, hope, and joy, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:25-26
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11