Wait Training

Since starting the application process for my sending organization and my religious visa, it has quickly become clear that this summer's purpose is one of building patience and confidence in the Lord's timing. To live in Italy, I must apply for, and be granted, a religious visa. However, the process has so far proven to be slow and tedious. It is easy to become quickly discouraged at each halt or delay, but God is calling me to slow down and trust in His timing.

...being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. (Colossians 1:11, ESV)

Waiting may not be a naturally enjoyable process, but I believe it is one that God wants us to recognize for what it truly is - invaluable preparation. It is through the waiting that we often fully turn to God. It is here we recognize that it is not we who are in control, but God. As we draw close to Him, in utter dependence upon Him, He desires to teach us joyful endurance and patience. Waiting does not have to be like swallowing a tablespoon of medicine. It can be a beautiful time of pouring into our walk with the Lord as we anticipate His next call to step forward.

Waiting Should Never Be Wasting Time

When God calls us to be still and wait upon Him, it should never be viewed as a complete cessation of participation on our part. As believers, we should get comfortable with active rest. We let God do the main work while we, as soldiers do when not on the battlefield, maintain our spiritual fitness and train for what is to come. I do not want to spend these short months before flying out to the mission field worrying over what I cannot control (paperwork, approval, "perfect" timing, etc.); rather, my desire is to exercise faith in the fact that God's timing is perfect and, in turn, to direct my attention toward deepening my relationship with Him and my love for those whom He has called me to serve.

Part of this process is recognizing and combatting lies that easily creep into our thinking. For me, that would be the idea that I am, and need to be, in control. However, God never asks us to be in control. Instead, He reminds us that He is and that He is perfect at it:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

'For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

and do not return there but water the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it'" (Isaiah 55:8-11, ESV).

God always accomplishes His purposes. How often can we say that we manage to do so? So, our task is to learn to lay control at the foot of our Maker and to ask what He desires us to do. Quite often that will simply be to wait upon the Lord - to seek Him in His temple.

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You have said, “Seek my face.”

My heart says to you,

“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”