As I was driving through the fields of Kansas, I realized how incredibly beautiful everything looked. The rain has come into some parts of Kansas and for the first time in many months, it looks green. Last year we were in a drout. The land looked barren and dead. I wondered often if God would bring rain to this land. Like Atlanta, Texas, and other states, we were running low on water. In the same timeframe, places like Tennessee were hoping it would stop.
There are so many dynamics to this vast land. There is always beauty but the weather patterns can and do control how lush the land becomes. If we relate those terms to our walk with God, I think we can draw a comparison. As long as everything in our world is green, we don't need God as much. But the minute our world's turn barren, we need Him right then, and sometimes, we don't get what we want. Of course He is with us, that is never in question, however, we may not get our prayer's answered, our situation may not change, or it may take a long time for it to change. What do we do then? Like the land that needs water, we wait patiently on the Lord.
Like you, I have struggled with waiting patiently on the Lord. After my mom died, I made a promise to my son that I would find a job with less travel. What was supposed to be a venture with a few overnights, became a road warrior, road weary job and I was gone most of the week, every week. My mother died in December of 2009 and God chose not to provide a job until April 11, 2011. I could have given up. But, I chose to believe that God would provide. There were days that I doubted but my journal is full of prayers asking God to provide the right opportunity at the right time.
My desire was to be with my husband and children and yet, I needed the paycheck. I applied to over 127 opportunities that year. I had my resume professionally done and went about on the greatest job search I have ever partaken in. Most of the time, the doors never opened. My prayer, you see, was that God would slam any door that wasn't the direction He wanted me to go in. And like many prayers, He answered it in a resounding way.
The point I am trying to make is that God will answer our prayers in His time, not ours. We have to show some self-control and trust. I realize that situations can be dire and I know that it's hard to hang on when you are at the last of your strength. But, in those moments, go to Christ and ask Him for His strength. He will provide it to you. And, then, read and pray. I have no idea how long your sitation will go on before He answers you but it's my belief that He will answer and if your prayer is in His will; it will be fulfilled.
During those many months of my job search, I read a lot and prayed. There came a very critical time, when God asked me to relinquish my will. I did and I found the opportunty I now have. The funny thing is that for one year, I didn't travel farther than 10 miles from my house. Now, I am on the road again but for only a few overnights a month. God knew what I needed and where He wanted to put me better than I did and I am so grateful that I waited, prayed and asked God to fulfill His will for my career. See, in all things, I must come to a place that I am content with God no matter where He puts me.
Psalms 40: 1-9 The Gideons Bible
I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth--praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened, burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. The I said, "Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart." I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O lord, You Yourself know.
I pray that you 're standing on green grass but if you are more on barren land, please read this Psalm and pray it. Like the Israelites of old, we have a God that can lead us through the desert; we just have to trust that He will. There will never be a time in our lives that we won't need God. However, there are times when we must trust Him when we can't see past tomorrow. In our hearts, we must believe that our God never leaves us or forsakes us but He does decide when and where He will answer our prayers. I hope today gives you insight into the great and wonderful God we share and no matter where you live, I hope Christ provides you an answer.
My prayer today:
Lord, we come before you and thank you for the times in our lives where our paths are green. We also thank you for the barren wasteland because in both, we can see Your hand. We want to be women that seek You daily and learn to wait patiently on You in every situation. Provide us Scripture so that we can be like David, following You all our days and guide us to women that can lift us up in prayer. We band together for all the women that feel like they have nowhere to go. Please take the fear and worry out of their situations and replace them with peace and patience. You tell us to wait patiently on You. We can't do that in our own strength, but You can provide everything we need to endure the long journey. We come before You women that want to be strong in our faith. Lead us daily to Your cross and remind us that any hardship we endure is for Your glory. AMEN
Until tomorrow...
No comments:
Post a Comment