No matter the season of Life, we are all waiting. We wait for "the right one" to come along. We wait for a tiny bundle of Joy. We wait for resolution to come in strained marriages. We wait for doors to open. We wait for a wayward child to come home. We wait for news from a doctor. We wait for God to move. We wait for doors to shut. We wait for true confirmation. We wait for out next assignment from the Lord. We wait for earnest prayers to be answered.
Just...waiting. We sit and wait. And we hope.
---
I don't often quote longer poems or things because..well, I just don't. BUT, a few days ago, I was settled in for a good little "soul-refreshment" from my Streams in the Desert Devotional. Alongside "My Utmost for His Highest", this little blue book has fast become one of my favorite devotionals (side note, it was edited by the SAME editor as the updated "My Utmost[...]" Devotional). I was reading, not even THINKING about anything in particular, when the author shared this simple verse with his readers:
Sit still, my Children! Just sit calmly still!
Nor deem these days--these waiting days--as ill!
The One who loves you best, who plans your way,
Has not forgotten your great need today!
And, IF He waits, it's sure He waits to prove
To YOU, His tender child, His heart's deep love.
Sit still, my children! Just sit calmly still!
You greatly long to know your dear Lord's will!
While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way
Corrodingly within, because of His delay---
Persuade yourself in simple FAITH to rest
That HE, who knows and loves, will do the best.
Sit still, my children! Just sit calmly still!
Nor move one step, not even one, until
His way has opened. Then, ah then, how sweet!
How glad your heart, and then how swift your feet,
Your inner being then, ah THEN, how strong!
And waiting days not counted then too long!
Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
What higher service could you, for Him, fill?!
It's hard! ah, YES! But choicest things must cost!
For lack of losing all, how much is lost!
It's hard, it is true! But then--He gives you GRACE
To count the hardest spot the sweetest place,
~J. D. Smith
How sweet and true are these simple words. As we wade through our season of singleness, brokenness, uncertainty, or even just seeking His will for a next step in life-- "sit still, just sit calmly still". For the Lord YOUR God has not forgotten YOU. The next step, the next path, the next breakthrough in prayer, the next assignment, the next season is held securely in His hands. Believe in Him. Have Faith in His character. Continue to press forward in Prayer and earnestly seeking the face of Jesus. Praise God for what He will do. Remind your heart of all that God has done. Why would He suddenly leave you now? Remind Him (and yourself!) of His promises. He cannot lie, and in Him is found no (zilch) deceit (1 Peter 2:22). Find JOY--the kind where it is not emotion or conditional based--in what God is doing right now. Rejoice!! Sing! For in every season, He is growing us. He is stretching us. He is shaping us into soldiers of Christ, where we obey and follow--even if we may not see the point. But above all, He is giving us the beautiful opportunity to Trust in Him.
"Faithful is He who calls you..." ~1 Thessalonians 5:24
In Him,
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