Unfinished Faith: Relearning God.

Week 2:

The bit where I introduce:  Waiting on God

It is a topic I have found to be painful, beneficial, purposeful, and confusing, sometimes all at once. The concept I like, but these days I’m not one to spiritualise too much. In practice I’ve struggled to do it and at times really to be honest, hated doing it. People have said it to me, Heck, I may have even given it as advice to friends and family a time or two (she said through gritted teeth)

What does it mean really? When I was researching, phrases like actively trusting, hoping, and positioning oneself for divine action popped up. Yep, I can cognitively understand these and convince my brain and mostly my heart (to be honest) to do this.

But then it gets a bit hairy for my liking…

 releasing control, refining focus, enduring difficulty with faith, understanding He uses it for refining my character, or, if you wanted to secularise it for popular opinion “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?”  Hmmm, I like those options way less God, any chance we skip these ones just for now, for this situation? Please? Ever said that? In this chapter of my life, I’ll admit I struggle with the stronger part, to the point of breaking often. I will be ok, no need for concern.

The bit where I refer to the bible: and ask a few rhetorical questions

Psalm 27:14 “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

This verse at the end of Psalm 27 is both a direction and a positively leaning statement convincing you that this is what you must do. Pep talks courtesy of the psalmist David.  C’mon people, you got this!

David was going through some stuff, persecution in fact and he was writing to say he has unwavering confidence in God as his light and stronghold, even when his enemies are winning. If he was on social media, we’d give him a like wouldn’t we?

I’m sure all of us can relate to David. Unless you have been living under a rock, you’ve perhaps had people talk about you, gossip and even say hurtful things to your face or to your loved ones, challenged your authority, or get heated/ angry in meetings at work or school, sporting teams or even in church.

Perhaps someone has been incredibly jealous of you, your skills or position? like David (Saul was doing his I’m a bit jealous of you and I want you dead” type motif) in the context of the psalm. Poor David, he was just doing the whole faithful servant thing, and, in his case, it was a case of personal injustice. Hands up if you have been there? Not the literal servant bit I hope, more the personal injustice. It stings.

Times like these, it can feel like persecution concerning your beliefs, for defending higher things that matter to you or just because you spoke up. Maybe you’ve also had the dilemma of not having a right of reply.

But David gives us an out and helpful direction. Wait on God, also be brave and courageous while you are waiting! Notice he doesn’t say “feel” brave and courageous. Feelings betray us and from time to time water down the truth of His word. Emotions can also dare I say assist in misinterpreting what we read in the bible too, it changes the lens from which we read, highlights our confirmation bias via emotions.

The verse is saying He does promise to give you what you need to get through it. It might take some time. Patience dear one. A gently spoken truth.

 So, in the immortal words of Wilson Phillips “hold on for one more day” or perhaps a day more, or maybe longer! (In Sarah’s case in Genesis 15-21, 25 years to get pregnant)

 Maybe He wants you to know right now, “I know how long you need to wait; you need to trust me to work this out” type sentiment. Easier said than done.

So, are we going to trust as David did? He will work it out but remember you might need to be patient and wait, Wait ON Him. He is the one who will sort it, not karma. He says: Wait on me and I will not let you down, (even if you think I have, even when your prayers seem silent, even though it might cost you, even if it hurts)

 See it’s when your hands are empty, that’s when He hands you aspects of His character, peace for instance- the kind that passes all understanding. The kind of peace that is above your unreliable emotions, lasting peace.

I read this quote the other day and it resonated:

I’m so glad Jesus never says: “This is the last time I put you back together.”

The bit where you get to think about stuff: Questions for the week

When was the last time you waited on God and did it with courage?

Is there something in your life right now you are waiting on God for? How is it going?

 Do you think there is something better you can do? Another way?