Just a couple of days ago, I was messaging with a friend who was frustrated. Some work around her home needed to be accomplished by an outside source and she was at their mercy for the timing. Desiring that it had already been accomplished, or at least started, her last words to me were, "I just need some movement".
How good are we at trusting that God is moving and working out His plans for our lives? Do we fully believe that His hand is over every detail of our days? Our agenda may not be His, but He promises to work out His plans His way. Oh, how impatient we can become in any wait.
I've often prided myself in the fact, that in general, I can remain pretty patient in situations where I have no control. I usually don't mind waiting in a doctor's office, knowing that at some point he will have time for me. Getting slowed down in traffic can sometimes make me anxious, but I usually give myself quite a buffer of time so that delays won't impact my arrival. I gladly surrender my place in line at the grocery store when I see the person behind me with fewer items and my cart is full. To be honest, I often enjoy the extra time of solitude that waiting can afford.
Today I find myself sitting in God's waiting room with several friends. They have each invited me to accompany them into their life stories. Uncertain of what lies ahead they have asked me to pray and come alongside them as they wait to see God unveil His plans in their lives. Some needs include very practical provision. Others involve health, emotional struggles, family relationships or ministry direction. I don't know how God will answer, but He guarantees He will.
More and more that simple four-letter-word "will" is becoming my favourite. There is a certainty amidst the uncertainty. Something is going to happen. It is guaranteed and inevitable. An answer is going to be given, but we just don't know when it will come, what it will be, or maybe our greatest concern, if we will like it.
In many ways the fulfillment of this verse comes down to a deepening trust. Do we really believe that God is good and that He will work out His plans for us? The thing is, He will work out His plans, but what if they aren't our plans? We know from Isaiah 55 that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. That can initiate fear in our hearts, but it shouldn't. Do we believe that God is trustworthy? Do we know Him as faithful? Have we experienced His leading in the past?
You see, too often when a problem arises, we decide to "help" God. When situations aren't changing quickly enough, according to our liking, we start getting involved when it would have been best to remain silent. How many times in hindsight do we discover we just should have trusted God, as our participation has now made matters worse? When will we learn that we don't have to work it out or try to fix things in our own strength?
God is a finisher. He always completes what He begins and His track record is perfect. Every purpose He has for us will be fulfilled. Nothing can hinder His plans. They are unshakable. Relying on God's faithfulness we can surrender ourselves and our situations completely to His divine leading.
Lord, may we trust in Your sovereign plan when circumstances are challenging. When we are longing to see some movement, fill our hearts with a confidence that You will work out Your plans in each life today.
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