The mature woman knows how to wait on God. She has learned through tears, disappointments, and even rejection that sometimes it’s just not your turn. That doesn’t mean it won’t ever be. Or that you’re not qualified. Or that you’ve gone completely the wrong way. It’s just not yet. John Piper wrote:
We are like farmers. The plow the field and plant the seed and cut away weeds and scare
away crows,But they do not make the crop grow. God does. He sends rain and sunshine and brings to maturity the hidden life of the seed. We have our part. But it is not coercive or controlling. And there will be times when the crops fail. Even then God has his ways of feeding the farmer and bringing him through a lean season.
We must learn to wait for the Lord.To do everything we can, stay the course, and wait to be next requires a grown-up Jesus woman who has put away whining and manipulation. She has decided not to stomp her feet, huff and puff, groan and complain. She is waiting with integrity. Not cutting in line with her friend who’s farther ahead. Not cheating for advantage. Not bargaining or bribing. Just waiting until she is called.
Maybe the lesson of “Not Yet” continues to be the one that most profoundly shaped your character and your heart. You really have to trust God to wait. You must believe in His divine love. You must lean into His arms and stop fidgeting with your own agenda. You must surrender your “five-year” plan and give up your pride. Waiting requires so much maturity that I understand why most of us just get out of line. Abandoning what we’ve been made for because the wait seemed too long.Almost every arena of life requires a wait that is beyond my own ability. The Lord beckons me to keep my eyes on Him, continue to walk in my calling, and understand that sometimes it’s just not my turn.
“Wait on God and He will work, but don’t wait in spiritual sulks because you cannot see an inch in front of you” -Oswald Chambers
From the book “When Wallflowers Dance” by Angela Thomas
I have loved that quote since I read it in her book the very first time. It popped into my head again for the quote contest and I decided the whole section, “Not Yet” in her book was worth reading, and finally posting again. And remembering that Waiting is not whining, waiting is an opportunity to grow! Thank you, Lord, for the reminder.
This Saturday’s Recipes by The Pioneer Woman
6 years ago
4 comments:
Thank you for the reminder! Sometimes it is difficult to remember that not only should we wait, but we should wait on Him, with a positive attitude! It is hard to know that our plans may not be in God's timing. That maybe He has the same plans for us, just the dreaded word *LATER*. What I *try* to do, is focus most on what He has already blessed me with, rather than that which I have not Yet been blessed with (but Try is the key word here!) Thanks again for your wise words- they are being "taken to heart"!
Wow..this is a great post! It's never fun to wait, but we serve and "On Time God" (a song our choir sings) and He is never late!
The picture of 'Hillbillary' is funny but your caption made me laugh out loud! You are just way too funny!
My mom has always told me, "there is only one thing worse than waiting on God and that is WISHING you had!"
I've never forgotten that...it is hard to do, but He has the richest blessings in store for us if we do.
Wow. Good words.
Also, I hope your little sweetie is feeling better!
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