WAITING - because He is worthy, faithful, and true

As I have been reading the Scriptures the Lord has been POPPING the word “wait” out at me. WAIT on the Lord and He will renew your strength. (Isaiah 40) WAIT on the Lord for He is good and will act. (Psalm 27:14) WAIT and HOPE in the Lord. (Psalms in general, Genesis, Corinthians, 1st Peter…)

Peeps, I don’t like to wait.

This week I have been feeling a SURGE of restlessness well within me. Yesterday I tried to dance it out and I couldn’t groove fast enough.
Today I will go out for a jog to see if I can run it out, but I don’t know that that will be good enough.

I am tired of waiting!!

I want to go out and DO.

I want to go out and SERVE.

Where? Who? How? When? What?

Why not NOW?!

In the earlier half of this year the Lord brought a story to my mind that is continuing to ring true. At the time I wanted to GO OUT to another country and be a missionary. The Lord was convicting me with the idea that I needed to stay and be faithful here and be a discipling-evangelist in Washington.

During these conversations with the Lord I realized that I am just like one of my first grade students. In my mind I could see an illustration of how the Lord must see me.

Taking from Isaiah 6 and that our prayers come before His holy throne, I saw myself just bouncing in front of Him. Jumping here, dashing there, all the while I am asking Him, “where do you want me to go?! Where? Where? Should I go here? Should I go there? Oh tell me!! Please! Please! I am ready! I am ready to go! Where? Where?!” (bounce, bounce, bounce)

While I am running and jumping and talking the Lord (sitting on His throne, of course,) is calling out softly to me, “Alicia! Alicia!” But, I am so busy asking Him what to do; I don’t hear His gentle voice.

Suddenly He shouts, “ALICIA!” This I hear and turn to face Him, while I continue to bounce.
“Yes, Lord?”
“Stop bouncing.”
I plant my feet on the ground, but my arms have difficulty remaining at my side. He looks at me and I press my arms to my side.
“Alicia, you need to sit down.”
“What?” I am crushed. I thought He wanted us all to GO OUT.
“Alicia, you need to sit down and wait.”
I begin to sit down, “But, Lord, how long? When can I go?”
“Sit and wait. I will tell you.”
I sit down and remain still for a length of time, but then I feel the need to move. My foot flies out and my arms twitch. The Lord looks at me again. I regain my self-control.

A length of time passes and finally I hear my name, “Alicia?!”
I spring up, ready for action, “Yes Lord!! I am here! I am ready! Where do you want me to go? Where?” Once again, I am filled with excitement.
“Alicia!”
No response.
“ALICIA!!”
I turn to face Him and contain myself.
“You need to go over there and take a seat.”
My shoulders droop. I can’t believe what He is telling me. I have to go sit on a line AGAIN? He knows that I am sad, but He also knows why He is telling me to sit.

As I walk to take my place I ask, “But, Lord, I sat still. Why can’t I go OUT yet?”
“You need to learn to wait and be still. You need to learn that I AM GOD and you are NOT. Be still and know that I AM GOD.”

So, here I sit. Waiting, waiting. Hoping that I will respond correctly and learn quickly.

Be still. He is God.

“I will be still whatever He does, and follow where He guideth. He is my God, though dark my road. He holds me that I shall not fall, wherefore to Him I leave it all. Whatever God ordains is right, He never will deceive me. I know He will not leave me. My Father’s care is round me there, and so to Him I leave it all.”

Psalm 31:14-24, “But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hand. Oh how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men. You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the Lord for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! For I said in my haste, ‘I am cut off from Your eyes’; nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried out to You. Oh love the Lord all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful and fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”