So I heard two messages on waiting this week, while pondering if and what God would be working on in my life. One was by Louie Giglio and the other by Craig Groeschel.
I then listened to another message about finding joy.
In his message, Matt Chandler mentions how Simeon, who had been told he would see the Christ in his lifetime.
And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Luke 2:25-26
All of us are waiting on something in our life. Imagine being in Simeon’s place, having the Holy Sprit reveal to you that you would see Jesus before you died. If we are true followers of Jesus, we are waiting on Jesus, except we, today, are waiting on His second coming.
Two things spoke to me in these messages, one, don’t waste the waiting. Time is never given back to us so we have to make the most of it. We are stewards of the time we have. We must keep our eyes open to where God is at work.
The other thing that spoke to me was, maybe what we are waiting for is not ready yet or maybe we aren’t ready for what we are waiting for. The world was not ready for Jesus to come into the world until the time when He actually came, He came at the specific time ordained by God.
A few years ago now, I was laid off from my job, probably one of the best jobs, if not the best I have had. I could sort see it coming, but God prepared us financially for the time I would be without a job. God had also been laying the groundwork for the job I have now, which is also a great job, one of my favorites, and has been very good for my career. A few years ago I did a project for a client who’s client is now my boss. I was surprised he remembered me from the project, but dring my time off from work, I had been praying that God would somehow speak to the person who would hire me and tell them they needed to hire me.
The waiting times can be difficult, but its possible for them to be joyful as well, we just have to ask for the Spirit to bear the fruit of Joy in our lives in that time. I have to remind myself daily to be faithful, because God is more faithful and He is working in the waiting. I believe its good in these times to wrestle with what you are waiting for and wrestle over God’s words, lay your heart out before God, He wants to hear your hearts desires. Jacob wrestled with God and was blessed, God will bless you as well. All of God’s promises have come true, none have ever failed. If you are a follower of Jesus, He promises to be with you always, you are a temple of the Holy Spirit.
JER2913 