I am recalling the moment when I stood just this last Sunday with hands lifted up, heart
intent and my two daughters colored freely on the church bulletin with blue, yellow and green crayons. My heart drew near to God and in one of those rare experiences – everything around me seemed faded, distant and less visible in the knowledge of God’s presence. I say rare though I must admit this has been my experience a good number of times recently.
It seems that I have been waiting for this. Waiting for a long time. Not necessarily to get back to something I knew when in my early teens – but to be immersed in a deeper awareness of God’s closeness than previously known. How long have I been waiting? It seems like years!
Pastor Matt preached a simple message about prayer and waiting. Waiting for what? Psalm 27:4 says that “one thing” is worth seeking. Even more than direction, specific strategy or results – learning to seek God’s face and to know how beautiful he is – the is the thing worth finding. Yes, there is a need for God’s voice and specific direction – but that will come in the way and in the time He chooses – till then, wait.
Sometimes God takes His people through long periods of waiting, of preparation. That kind of cramps my style, seems to take a longer road than I would personally choose, but what a freedom there is to know that He does it on purpose! Do I want to know what God’s purpose is behind all the waiting, the intensity of life and the experience which is often painful? Yes. I do. To get that there is a season and time to wait.
More on this later… until then
Tim
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