Waiting Is the Hardest Part

In the words of our beloved Tom Petty, waiting is the hardest part.  At least it seems to be for many Christians today.  We always seem to be in a holding pattern, waiting for the big message from God to be revealed to us so we can be busy about His work.  

"Burning Bush" by Will Borden

We've read in the scriptures concerning what we should be doing: loving God, loving our neighbors, keeping a watch over our tongue, taking care of orphans and widows in their distress, keeping ourselves from being polluted by the world, etc.  But, we tend to want, and wait, for something more...for something bigger.  We want our burning bush moment.

What if that moment doesn't come?  What if God has no big task for you outside of the task of simply loving the people he has placed around you?  What if He doesn't need you to be the next Andy Stanley or Chris Tomlin, but just simply obey in your simple life?

It's easy for me to get wrapped in waiting for bigger and better.  Our world has trained us for it.  Even the Church leadership culture of today somewhat cultivates it.  And so, instead of simply obeying in the simpleness of my life, I can make excuses and claim to wait for my burning bush.

As I read from 1 Samuel 10 today, verse 7 stood out to me and made me think about all of this,

"Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you."

Saul was just given his marching orders from the prophet Samuel.  He was just informed that he would be king of Israel and that the Spirit of the Lord would come upon him in power and he would be changed into a different person.  But this little phrase after all that was encouraging to me, "Do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you."

I can remember seeking counsel and advice at different times in my life when I was making big decisions.  My desire was that to make a decision that would please God and benefit His Kingdom.  In several instances, more than one option seemed good and it drove me crazy.  The advice I received from wise men and women seemed to all ring with the same truth: be faithful wherever you go and God will bless.

I think about that as I wait for my "burning bush".  I think about that as I face questions that I have no answers for.  I need to continue to be faithful and do whatever my hand finds to do, because God is with me.

I don't know if you are waiting for something bigger and better to come along.  If you are, don't let the waiting handicap you from doing what your hands can find to do now.  It's a lesson I'm learning.  God is with you, and He desires to use our simple, quiet, non-burning-bush lives to maybe kindle a Spiritual burning in the lives of those around us.