Working in Our Waiting July 27,2011

Sanctifying us, when beyond our understanding, you’re teaching us to trust.

            These lines are from one of my newest favorite songs, “Sovereign Over Us” by Aaron Keyes. A friend sent it to me last night and the lyrics resonated with me, especially the lines above. We’re all waiting for something (school being done, career to take off, marriage, children, retirement) and in our high-speed, achieving culture, we despise waiting. It encroaches on our agenda, ruins our plans; seems to damper our productivity. Often impatience and anger build and keep us from seeing any purpose in waiting. But waiting and anticipation cultivate patience. Remember how exciting Christmas morning was as a kid? All the days of presents building up under the tree, sneaking shakes to test the weight, guess the gift, led up to that morning of joy. Would it have been as exciting without the wait? A couple of weeks ago the speaker at a womens' breakfast stated that “God’s not as concerned about getting us to a certain destination as he is that we learn to trust Him in the process of getting where he wants to take us”.

            Over the last few months, as my plans fell apart and his plans started to be revealed, I began to relearn the purpose of waiting; on HIS guidance, trusting His plans and sovereignty over my circumstances. I had to realize that He is working in my waiting—in countless ways. Its not a holding time, where life is on pause until I can see where He’s taking me, rather this is his plan, the season of waiting (Grad school, Kenya, marriage), and it’s just as essential as the parts of His plan where I’ll see how the unknown areas of my life pan out.

            Similarly, this waiting time is not an idle, passive one; rather it is one of preparation and purpose. The last few weeks, several circumstances and relationships, my own and of those close to me, have helped me see the weight of relationships and marriage. It’s a BIG deal, not something to rush into, its better to be single than to be married to the “wrong” person (granted, I believe God is sovereign and that there is purpose in difficult relationships). This time of waiting for that phase of life needs to be one of intentionality—where I seek to grow in Christ, especially in my whole-hearted acceptance that HE is sufficient. Being a godly wife and mother starts today— my habits and character that I will bring into a marriage have already started to form. I can, and need to, foster a servant’s heart in the tasks before me today. Like the Ludy’s stated, “You’re only as holy as you are at home”. Ouch.

            So today I am trusting and thankful that Jesus is working in my waiting. I’m thankful for the family and friends around me, the job that I love, and all the work in this waiting. Elisabeth Elliot rightly articulated that “we [are to] thank God for the given, not allowing the ‘not given’ to spoil it” (God’s guiding light). I don’t want to miss the purposes of this day because I’m caught up in the desires and hopes I have for tomorrow. I leave you with the lyrics to “Sovereign Over Us”.

There is strength within the sorrow, There is beauty in our tears
You meet us in our mourning, With a love that casts out fear
You are working in our waiting, Sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding, You're teaching us to trust

CHORUS
Your plans are still to prosper, You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
Faithful forever, Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us

V2
You are wisdom unimagined, Who could understand your ways
Reigning high above the heavens, Reaching down in endless grace
You’re the Lifter of the lowly, Compassionate and kind
You surround and You uphold me, Your promises are my delight

BR
Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good, You turn it for our good and for your glory
Even in the valley You are faithful
You’re working for our good, You’re working for our good and for your glory