There are a lot of circumstances in life that require patience. Since moving to Minnesota, I have taken up hunting, and I have gone fishing more than at any other time in my life. Both of these sports require patience. You can't expect a fourteen point Buck to walk directly towards your deer stand at daybreak on the opening day. You can't sit over a spear hole, inside your ice house for five minutes, and then expect to have a fifteen pound Northern staring at your Sucker fish decoy. It just doesn't happen that way. Both activities require immense waiting.
I have learned that good things come to those who wait. I am in the middle of a season right now of waiting. I am seeking the Lord's direction for future ministry. One part of me wants to have an instant download, and for the Lord to give me a clear picture of what He wants for me to do. However, I know that He doesn't roll like that. I know from past experience that God wants me to lean in, to pray, soak up Scripture and to seek His face. In doing that, He wants to refine me and take me to new places with Him. Through this process of molding and developing, then I will be in a place to know His perfect plan.
We have become so use to having whatever we need whenever we want it. We have gotten use to having fast food, smartphones, Wifi, and on and on. Because our culture has engulfed us with instant gratification, waiting on the Lord goes against every fiber of our being. We want to put things in a microwave when God wants us to use a crockpot.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we must develop a willingness to wait. God's Word confirms this truth. Here are a couple of my favorites: Lamentations 3:25 says, "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him." Isaiah 40:31 says, "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Knowing the faithfulness of God, helps survive the waiting. God's ways and His timing are always perfect. Even when revelation doesn't come in our timing, we can know that God is still at work, even in the season of waiting. In His time, He will make our paths straight. Just be patient.
Growing up, my family took several long road trips. I spent my childhood living in Homestead, Florida, which is at the southernmost tip of the state, just north of the Keys. In order to vacate in another state, we had to drive at least 10 hours. One Summer, our family drove from Homestead up to Maine for family vacation. Imagine that! As any child would, I struggled to stay focused during the drive. I knew where I came from and I knew where we were going, but the trip grew long. All I could see was the road ahead and the signs, trees and other cars we were passing. As a child, my limited understanding of mileage and time caused me to ask this famous question, several hundred times on that trip: Are we there yet? In other words, when would we reach our destination?
I currently find myself in a season of life when I have been asking God this very question: Are we there yet? Eight months ago I was serving along side a lead pastor and enjoying ministry as his associate. Little did I know that soon after that, my senior pastor would leave the church leaving me to serve as the only pastor on staff in a church of 150+ people in weekly attendance. This season of interim ministry has been stretching. I have been stretched to fulfill all of the weekly ministry needs, in addition to leading a growing student ministry. At times I have felt in over my head. I have been more than ready for a lead pastor to respond to God's call to serve here. I know where we as a church want to be, but when will we reach our destination of having a senior pastor in place?
The disciples of Jesus found themselves in a similar situation as recorded at the end of Mark 4. They got into a boat to sail across the sea. While crossing the sea, a huge storm moved in. The wind was strong. The waves were so fierce that water drenched the boat. The disciples were stressed and ready to get to their destination. They couldn't handle the stress on their own. The disciples decided to wake Jesus from a nap, and they asked Him to do something about the storm. Jesus responded by calming the storm and then He told the disciples to relax.
What kind of situation do you find yourself in? Perhaps you know the destination and where you would like to be, but right now it is difficult to see the finish line. Maybe you're in the midst of a crises season of life and have been asking God: Are we there yet? Remember that Jesus is still in the business of calming storms. For me, God has given me strength during this interim ministry in being the lone pastor at my church. Trust in Jesus. He wants to calm the storm in your life and help you get to where you want to be.
