Wait.
How did I end up here again?
I thought I was past this stage of the faith process.
God gave me a promise. I saw the fulfillment of it. So, I thought I was well on my way to the next phase of life.
Skrrrrrt. Plot twist!
Rejection, fear, and worry showed up at my front door. I didn’t see them coming and would have run in the opposite direction had I known they were on the way. I would have blocked the door and barricaded myself from hurt feelings and confused thoughts. Now, it feels like I invited them in to have a seat and share a meal while I figure out why my reality doesn’t match my expectations.
Now, there is more waiting and standing on faith. While I consider myself a faithful person, this gets pretty difficult for me. Why? Because I’m the person who will ask you to tell me what happens at the end of the movie before I watch it. I will literally read ahead in a book just so I can ease my anxiety in trying to figure out what happens. I will even fast forward a movie just to see the ending and then go back and watch it unfold.
Yep, I’m THAT person.
So, you can imagine my reaction when I somehow ended back up in a place of standing in faith and waiting on God about an area of my life that I thought I saw traction in.
A fellow sister in Christ described my current state of mind perfectly: I’m about 1/8 of an inch to an adult temper tantrum. I want to ball up my fist, cross my arms, stomp my foot, and pout. Truth be told, some days, I even want to throw myself on the floor and lay there until my Father gives in to what I want and comes to pick me up.
Yep, ALL the drama.
And frankly, ALL the entitlement.
Why do I think I’m the exception? Why do I think that even after I see the manifestation of His promise in my life, I won’t have to continue to put my life in His mighty hands? God has been making promises, giving visions and dreams and speaking directly to his people way before me. And nobody has been without test and trial.
Take Abraham. God promised that he would make Abraham a great nation and he would have so many descendants that he wouldn’t be able to count them. He gave him this promise when he was 75 years old. From there, God spoke to him, gave him direction on where to go, then gave him a dream with a vision. He even visited him and confirmed the plan for his life.
Over the next twenty-five years, Abraham faced a famine, had his wife taken by Pharaoh, got in an argument with his nephew and had to separate from him only to rescue him later on. He also had an illegitimate child when he tried to fulfill the promise with his own effort – all while getting a name change and going through the transformation of circumcision.
Now that is a plot twist!
But it doesn’t end there. Once part of the promise was fulfilled and Isaac was born, God said, “Offer your son, Isaac, as a burnt offering to me.”
Say what now? (Insert side-eye here.)
While Abraham probably didn’t side-eye the Lord, I’m sure he had questions and needed clarity. He probably would have asked why the long process or prolonged journey? He probably would have questioned if he heard the Lord correctly. He would have wondered why did he get a glimpse of the manifestation only to have to wait again for God to do what He promised He would do.
You may be asking yourself the same type of questions. Perhaps you got married but can’t get pregnant. Maybe you got a new job but aren’t getting along with your co-workers. You created the business plan but can’t find funding to get the idea off the ground. You got accepted into college but don’t have the money for tuition. You bought the house but lost your job. The list goes on.
Friend, we are never exempt from tests and trials. God may give you a promise for your life but that doesn’t mean the road to walk in that promise will be seamless. When He gives you the promise, sometimes the exact opposite of what you’re expecting can occur. There will be situations and circumstances that test your faith. Sometimes, He gives you the promise and it looks as if nothing is working towards that particular plan. Then when you pray about it, God tells you that there is nothing you can do but wait on Him.
(And resist the urge to insert a full-blown temper tantrum here.)
But the story of Abraham proves that when we wait on God, we’re waiting on His best for our lives. Abraham accrued immense wealth and God provided a ram in the bush to save Isaac’s life. He was blessed with a great nation and the blessing of Abraham followed Isaac down through the generations.
The wait was worth it in the end.
So, instead of fretting about how the ending will unfold and grumbling or complaining about the process, embrace this time and draw nearer to God. Let Him guide you, teach you and build you up. Inquire of Him just like Abraham did and He will respond. This unforeseen detour will work for your good and His glory.
Father, thank you for being an all-knowing God who has our paths chartered out. Give us strength to wait with courage and contentment as You do what only You can do. Infuse us with peace and remind us that You are working on our behalf. Your word says all things work together for the good of those who love You and are called according to your purpose. Our hope is in You and You alone. Amen.
