Faithfully and Fruitfully

“Wait for the Lord;

Be strong, and let your heart be courageous.

Wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14

Driving around our mountain town these last several weeks, my eyes are drawn to the brown and barren trees that are waiting for verdant greens and bold blooms to return, and I found myself searching for any one bloom or pop of color to signify that the harshness of winter is over and spring is on the way! That got me thinking about….

waiting.

For believers, “waiting” is as daily as breathing. 

We wait for something to begin, or end, we wait for answers to prayers, health reports, next steps, good news, always something. In my own life, I am currently anticipating the end of one season and the beginning of another. As I was pondering this time in between, I became heavy with conviction about whether my waiting is glorifying the Lord or my flesh.

I feel impatient. I want time to move faster. I have been short and unhelpful in my responses to things asked of me both in my work and in my family. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit quickly worked in my heart to reveal these things and correct my thinking. 

So I began to ask the Lord that I would be faithful and fruitful while I wait…that I would not be dependent on any future outcome, but only on God and His Word. That my time with those I seek to disciple and lead would not be diminished or dreaded, but those relationships would continue to bear much fruit. That I would continue in my current tasks well until I am finished.

 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope.” Psalm 130:5

Thankfully, for all of us. We can be assured that no waiting is ever wasted. Waiting can be encouraging, hopeful and sanctifying. The Lord uses these seasons to expose weak areas in our walk with Him and push us into faithful obedience. My challenge to all of us is to consider our response while we wait: 

Am I meditating longer in the Word to comfort and assure my mind or am I skipping daily time with Jesus because I’m antsy and impatient? 

Am I waiting in dread for a result, change, outcome or trusting the God of all things for what He desires for my life? 

Am I memorizing scripture specific that will encourage my soul or am I seeking worldly counsel? 

Am I asking the Lord to show me ways I can improve my thoughts and responses while I wait, or am I sitting in my flesh trying to make things happen?

So, with that in mind, let’s be faithful and fruitful in our waiting! Knowing that if God is for us who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) and that “from of old no one has heard or perceived by the  ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” Isaiah 64:4