‘How are you?’ I recently asked a friend. ‘Tired’ was her reply. While I’m sure she was physically tired, I also knew she was referring to emotional and spiritual tiredness. Can you relate?
I could. She and I are both in a season of waiting on God. Waiting for His timing; waiting for His clarity; waiting for His direction. When we enter these seasons, we never know how long they will last. I have my timeline and my plan for how I think things should go…but God has the perfect timeline and plan already laid out for my life. My job is to trust in Him. I sometimes find the start of a waiting season to be exciting! There is a certain amount of anticipation and joy as I wonder what God will do and how He’ll do it. But now I’m in month 11 of my current season of waiting. The anticipation and joy are long gone. They’ve been replaced with feelings of defeat and sadness. The enemy has become louder and louder with lies that I’m incompetent, unworthy, unloved. The trusting is hard some days. I find it much easier to claim God’s truths for others than for myself. Can you relate?
Here are some truths for us both to say to ourselves: I was made in God’s image (Gen 1:27); I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14); God rejoices over me with singing (Zeph 3:17); God is able to do more for me than I could possibly imagine (Eph 3:20).
I’m here to tell you that you are not alone. Whatever season of your life you are currently in God is there right beside you. Sometimes He is very noticeable. Sometimes He is quiet and seems so very far from you. He is not far; I believe this and trust it with all my heart. During this season of waiting there have been periods where I have dug deep into my Bible, desperate for a word from God; where I have prayed and cried out laying it all at His feet. Then there are the periods where I haven’t opened my Bible, haven’t read a devotional; haven’t prayed. It is hard to admit that but it’s the truth and it’s ok. Can you relate?
A friend encouraged me to seek God in a way that is new to me and I want to encourage you to do that too. Here are a few ideas:
- tune in to Christian music and let it pour into your soul;
- take a walk and let fresh air and the beauty of God’s creation fill you;
- light a candle and sit quietly before God;
- find an opportunity to serve in your church, school or community and thank God for the abilities He’s given you;
- read the Bible – start with the Psalms or the Gospels;
- ask a friend to pray for you – you don’t need to give them any specifics if you don’t want to – God knows the deepest desires of your heart.
Try any or all of these with no expectations….just BE in the presence of God. My prayer for you is that the lies of the enemy will get quieter; that the peace of Christ will fill you; that you will be encouraged and reminded that God who created the universe and told the waves where to stop on the sand also numbered the hairs on your head and all your days are written in His book. For this and so much more, I am grateful.
Can you relate?
