Waiting for anything isn’t natural. The idea you have to remain inactive, stationary and pause until expectations are fulfilled can be agonizing. The longer one waits, the greater doubts grow, wondering if prayers will be answered.
How long must your servant wait?When will you punish my persecutors? – Psalm 119:84
Several Psalmists describe their anguish waiting to experience God’s promises. As the wicked prosper without any penalties, cries for justice may go unnoticed for years. Thus, screams of frustrations point toward heaven hoping for action to occur soon.
Answer me when I call to you,my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress;have mercy on me and hear my prayer. – Psalm 4:1
In this silence, impatience often boils over. This is when most turn their back on God. For those clinging on to hope, only time will dictate whether or not faith will be reignited. How long must we wait O Lord? Keep praying til your requests become reality, following in the footsteps of the persistent widow, Luke 18:1-8.
While listening to a sermon over the weekend, I was challenged to reflect on what if any impact I’ve had during my days on this planet. Jesus and the apostle Paul, shared a similar message, urging their listeners to begin to store up treasures on earth, Matthew 6:19-21 and Colossians 3:1-4. If heaven does exist and Jesus went ahead to prepare the way, John 14:2, then its time you and I begin the imprinting process.
Although minor in many ways, my first mark involved music. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, I felt compelled to inform people of God’s love. Sorting through a vast collection of Christian music in college, I created a mix that I began to give to individuals, just as a high school friend did for me. Trying to introduce people to contemporary artists, one particular creation entitled A Father”s Love struck a cord with several friends and strangers. In the days of writing letters, words of encouragement appeared in the mail box, confirming that I was on the right track.
My greatest inscription occurred during a Lay Witness Mission, a fancy name for a retreat geared toward reviving souls for a spiritually dead or dying congregation. Beside being an active participant during youth group activities, my main responsibility was to share a brief testimony, what God was teaching me or doing in my life. At a moment’s notice, I was suppose to be ready. Well, I waited and waited and waited. Finally, on Saturday night, I was told I would be talking to the entire congregation. After praying with my roommate that night, the Lord took over so when the appointed time came, I opened my mouth and the Holy Spirit spoke. Before finishing, I offered up a call for action, then played a song. As I looked up, some were actually running to the altar, dedicating their lives to Jesus.
Since this day, I guess I can include my wife, kids and a decade as a Bible teacher. However, in between the victories, there have been plenty of moments of failure, idleness and periods of self-indulgence. When you taste defeat, the best pill to swallow is humility, an important practice to keep you on the narrow path to heaven, Matthew 7:13-15. As the second coming of Jesus draws near, don’t forget to leave your imprints on earth while heaven awaits for those who call on the name of the Lord, Romans 10:9-11.
One of my college roommates was a highly touted football player coming out of high school. Chiseled like a rock, Mike had the physique to play in college and possibly the pros. However, when the Lord got a hold of his heart, a new passion blossomed. Ditching the party scene, faith turned this giant into a man of praise. Thus, weekend nights offered up a chance to relax, sit on a beach chair in the front yard and listen to worship music, interacting with strangers walking by.
This unusual display of faith inspired me to become more bold in my faith. Although I don’t remember how it started, another Mike, Michael Mestern and I began a weekly tradition on Main Street. Before each session, Mike and I prayed on the steps of the mall at the University of Delaware’s Campus in Newark. Following this, we were moved to sing, like a street evangelist, walking back and forth, up and down Main Street, making a joyful noise unto the Lord. Whether it was singing Christmas carols or songs from Chrysalis, the Holy Spirit guided us each evening like Galatians 5:25. Sometimes we hummed, on certain occasions we raised our voices and most of the time we responded to conversations with praise.
The point of today’s blog is that you don’t have to be extremely gifted to be used by God, you just need to make yourself available. Rollen Stewart displayed his faith by studying where cameras were set up during professional sporting telecasts. Then, he used his wealth to purchase tickets, find the best place to stand out and hold up John 3:16 signs. The question is: what are you waiting for or who are you trying to please? May the words of 2 Timothy 1:6-7 inspire you to fan into flame your God given talents so that through usual or unusual means, the light of Christ will continue to shine, Colossians 4:2-6.
Before I moved to Delaware, I was a store manager at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Running the Michael Jordan Golf Shop across from gate B4, weather delays meant big business. Whenever planes were in a holding pattern, people waiting for their fight to arrive or family members picking up loved ones often passed time in my store.
However, in life waiting isn’t nearly as fun as shopping. Yet, if you are forced to enter a holding pattern, following the example of Moses in Leviticus 24:12 is a great place to start. Sometimes when you are angry, individuals can make rash decisions or be quick to jump to a conclusion. Therefore, make sure the will of the Lord is clear before you finalize your decision on what to do next.
Whether you’re deliberating on a punishment like Moses, contemplating something like marriage or living in a constant state of uncertainty, time can be a friend or foe. Perhaps, this is why God reminded prophets and psalmists to wait on the Lord. I know waiting isn’t enjoyable, but it gives you an opportunity to surrender to Christ so that Jesus can take the wheel, driving you out of the storms in life. Like the late Rich Mullins once sang, Hold me Jesus as you wait in a holding pattern.
To some, angels are a myth, a figment of your imagination. For others, the concept of angelic beings is something you grow out of, like a childhood phase. Yet, those who place their trust in the Bible, hold a belief, clinging to the promise of Psalm 91:11, hoping and waiting for the day for this verse to come true.
There appears to be 3 prerequisites before guardian angels are assigned to your side.
1) Individuals need to reach a point of desperation, recognizing that the only safe place on earth is resting in the shadow of God’s wings, Psalm 91:1.
2) In additional, priorities must be reorganized until a trust level develops, leading people to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness. Matthew 6:33-34.
3) Finally, to complete the setting for angels to enter the scene, souls must be willing to give up complete control, yielding the reigns of their life to Jesus, Matthew 16:24.
Unfortunately, most Christians want results without the effort on their part. As those who bypass the sweat and tears part of this equation, a lack of results leads to bickering as disenfranchised customers complain to God. Despite these cries, their treatment is no different than that of Israel in Isaiah 1:15. The missing ingredient is perking God’s attention.
Right now, angels are looking down from heaven, waiting to get into the game. However, until the prayers of the saints ask for a hedge of protection, angels will continue to sit on the bench. The words of Jesus is Matthew 7:7-12 are just begging leaders to make specific requests now. “You don’t have because you haven’t asked!” May this blog inspire you to proclaim bold prayers so that guardian angels will be ushered into action today.
For the helpless, hurting and poor, change is something that can’t come soon enough. These desperate souls are searching for the secret to getting God’s attention to alter their circumstances. When waiting becomes excruciating, what should you say to obtain prayers of change?
In the days of the Old Testament, the heart and its spiritual condition directly influenced God’s response to mankind, Isaiah 1:15-18. Meanwhile, the mind is a terrible thing to waste, especially when doubt blocks faith from taking root, Matthew 21:18-22. If you don’t believe God can transform your situation, miracles will cease to exist. Thus, what can I do to be heard?
History provides a benchmark, a series of success stories in life. When you desire wisdom, pray to possess the knowledge of Solomon. If discernment is what you need, ask for the insight of the sons of Issachar. Is it faith that you lack, claim the double portion the Lord gave Elisha. Do you struggle to love? Lean on Jesus to fill this void. Finally, if the favor of God seems distant, persist in prayer to experience the blessings of Joseph. May the words of Matthew 7:7-12 inspire you to offer up prayers for change.
In the 1971, Carly Simon released Anticipation, featuring the song that inspired this album. Eight years later, Heinz Ketchup developed the slogan, “Anticipation is making me wait,” by mixing Carly Simon’s song with images of ketchup slowly flowing out of a bottle. During an interview on National Public Radio, also known as NPR, Carly Simon shared the meaning of Anticipation. While waiting for Cat Stevens to pick her up on their first date, the lyrics to this song were formed and the rest is history.
Although ketchup and God don’t have any thing in common, Heinz’ marketing campaign and Carly Simon’s song illustrate how the Lord works behind the scenes. God allows individuals to experience desperation, causing hearts to develop a sense of urgency. As one hungers for something more in life like the prodigal son in Luke 15:16-20, a recipe for restoration is generated. Thus, despite any anguish, brokenness and heartache people have to endure, the Lord uses desperation to lead hurting souls beside still waters, Psalm 23:1-6.
Everyone understands how painful waiting can be. Whether you’re at the hospital anticipating news from a doctor regarding life or death, impatiently waiting for God to answer your prayers or searching for clues to understand the trial you are currently undergoing, each scenario breeds desperation. Like Nicodemus, seeking out Jesus at night in John 3:1, sometimes you have to humble yourself, realize you’re not in control and kneel before God, Luke 7:37-38. May any lukewarm spirit holding you down be expelled as God uses desperation as a recipe for restoration.
As human beings enter life on earth, God places certain instincts within babies, crying to get their mother’s attention. Once talking commences, whining is replaced by mine, ooh and wanna. Born inside of every child since Adam and Eve, the sinful nature is at war with silence. If gratifications aren’t instantly met, silence can kill inclinations to be self-absorbed, training infants in the way they should go. Proverbs 22:6.
On the other hand, silence also separates individuals from God, Romans 3:23, as sin establishes a barrier deeper than the grand canyon, Romans 6:23. Created to be in communion with the Lord and mankind, silence often steal, kills and destroys faith. If this wall isn’t broken or lifted, souls will die void of any hope, joy or love. Perhaps, someone or something is blocking this line, muffling God’s still small voice, 1 Kings 19:12-13.
No one is immune to silence, especially when prayers lifted up to heaven go unanswered. Waiting is one thing I detest, rather pointless to a person in desperate need of answers. Yet, despite my feelings, there are clues left behind by in the Bible which shouldn’t surprise me. According to a servant of God who was sawed in two for his faith, silence is a way of life, Isaiah 40:27-31. As Israel complained to this prophet, God reveals a message of hope to those still waiting in the dark for a response. Therefore, if you are like me, scratching your head, trying to make sense life’s trials, may silence kill any hint of impatience within you, replaced by spiritual strength from the only One who can breathe life into a tired and weary soul.
When I was your age, I had to walk to school both ways up hill. This mantra is repeated to each new generation, worded slightly different to drive home the point, “you have it so much easier than I did.” Whether this is exaggerated, somewhat true or simply a ploy to illicit guilt, the next generation is waiting for a positive message.
A humble shepherd understood this concept, passed over as an after thought by his own father, 1 Samuel 16:2-11. If there is one lesson everyone can learn, don’t judge someone based upon their physical features, impressive or not. Rather, the heart holds the key to greatness, 1 Samuel 16:7. However, unless you speak from the heart, Luke 6:45, no one will know for sure who they should follow.
David verbalizes his beliefs in Psalm 71:14-18. Recognizing that not everyone shares the same faith, the king felt led by God to express what his eyes have seen. Instead of regurgitating the same old mantra, David was inspired to pass onto the next generation a message of hope. Therefore, if you know the truth, don’t withhold this information. Rather, boldly proclaim the marvelous acts of a risen Messiah to the next generation, 1 Corinthians 5:54-58.
Upon rolling out of bed, many Americans turn to the weather channel to help answer the question, “what should I wear today?” After a relaxing bath or shower, breakfast is on your mind before you hustle out the door. Perhaps, you’ll have a few minutes to reply to emails, catch up on Facebook or text a friend. Nonetheless, a morning without God often leads to days, weeks or months alone and on your own.
C.S. Lewis illustrates this truth in Mere Christianity through a chapter entitled “We Have Cause to Be Uneasy.” Essentially, the longer you go off course, Matthew 7:13-14, without making the Lord a priority, the harder it is to return. Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Less Traveled,” symbolizes the fork in the road of life. While those living without God chose instant gratification, pleasure and sinful delights; those who take the other path are ridiculed, scrutinized and rejected by social media. Despite the initial pain, a guiding light leads the way, Galatians 5:25, greater than the Force in Star Wars.
Today, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize living without God has become a societal trend. If you listen to the words of an average conversations, absorb the lyrics of blaring music passing by or see the lack of joy in people’s faces, God is no where to be found. Its no wonder that desperate souls keep looking for love in all the wrong places, void of progress and peace. I’m not sure what people are waiting for, yet God has his perfect timing, Ecclesiastes 3. In these last days, may prodigal sons and daughters come home soon before its too late to return to the living God.
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