Take Action, Move Forward

My last post about waiting was a hard subject and yet one that needed addressing...I think no truer statement could be said of this post as well.

Back in 1999, a friend of ours had an accident and passed away. I remember waiting at the hospital over several days and one afternoon a guy in his small group said:

I am a do-er! I can't wait anymore. I have to go and do something.

Those words still ring in my ears. What that guy was feeling in the moment was the opposite of wait - it was take action. Do something. Our friend was being taken care of by exceptional doctors and nurses, but aside from praying, and feeding the family members, there really wasn't much else we could do. 
And so he went. 
And he did. 
And he did it well. 
And our friend would have been pleased, and his family was grateful for the work he helped them accomplish.

Yes, we are sometimes asked to wait. And I don't think I touched on it as much as I would have liked, but often in the waiting, we are to be seeking. Seeking Christ. Seeking His face and His will. You can still seek Christ without seeking the next step (Lesson learned), although often in seeking Him, He will guide and direct your steps. (Proverbs 3:6, 16:9)
A few years ago when the Fireproof movie came out, a song from the movie grated on my very last nerve. Now, I have come full circle and can at least listen to it on the radio, but admittedly, it's not my favorite still. In that season, the words were hard for me to sing:

While I'm waiting, I will serve you. While I'm waiting, I will worship.

It went on to talk about patiently waiting, and how it's not easy and painful.
YEAH!!! Who in the world would sign up for that? ANYONE?

That is where the cross hits you dead in the center of your eyeballs. 
The cross.
Jesus' suffering to take my penalty - what I deserve - and He did it because HE LOVES ME!
GOD: So, hey, Miss Thing, I hear what you are asking me for. I see your tears, and I see your frustration. But I want you to love me. I want you to seek me. I want you to serve others. I want you bow your head, worship me, and take up that cross and follow me. BECAUSE I LOVE YOU! So, when my answer is wait, or not right now, take heart, the Best is Coming.


And then sometimes, we are asked to do something else-
Go. Challenge. Dig Deep. Dig Wide. (but don't dig in your heels)
Do. Make. Bow. Kneel Down. Stand Up. 
Serve. Help. Give. Listen. Speak Truth.
Love. Love. Love.
Forgive. Hug. Amend wrongs. Make right. 

We press on through the waiting because of the Hope we have in a loving, amazing Father. He is good, and He has our best in mind. It's not easy at times, I know, but the beautiful story He is writing is about His glory in your life. Won't you let Him write the story?

-Karen