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The Ability To Sit Still. XXXIII

In the digital age we live in, it is becoming harder to simply mind our own business.

As a Christian, I am learning that it is better that my plans are guided by God, not by other people’s opinions, and most importantly, not by what I see everyone else doing or the stage of life my friends may be in.

Sometimes it is okay to wait, especially when there is purpose in the waiting.

P.S.: This is the THIRTY-THIRD EPISODE of Saved by Grace Through Faith With Works. If this is the first episode you are reading, you’ll find all other episodes here.

There are many times in the Bible when people had to wait. Here are a few examples where the Bible talks about waiting, why waiting is important, and what can happen during a time of waiting.

Psalm 127: 1,2

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for he grants sleep to those he loves.

I have experienced what it is like to work hard on something that leads to nothing. I have also experienced seasons in life that felt like a beautiful and pleasant surprise.

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

Isaiah 40: 31

No one likes to feel as if they are not doing anything meaningful with their life. For an ambitious and goal-driven person, it can be especially hard when God says to wait.

Sometimes, He allows things to happen that slow you down or take you on detours before you reach your destination.

It can feel even harder when you see other people on a similar journey taking what looks like a straight path and arriving much sooner. Meanwhile, your own journey may take two or even three times as long.

But in my experience of following God, these detours are never useless, and the waiting is always worth it.

When we look at examples in the Bible, like Joseph after he had his dreams, we see that it took many years for them to come true. During that time, he learned valuable lessons about character, patience, resilience, hope, and trusting in God’s plan and faithfulness.

What about the children of Israel?

They traveled through the wilderness along a longer, roundabout path to the Promised Land instead of taking the shorter route through Philistine territory. God wanted them to grow mentally and learn how to take care of themselves.

He allowed them to face difficult terrain so they could learn to navigate through it.

At the same time, He was teaching them about His nature — showing them that He can save, protect, provide for, and deliver them, so that fear would no longer control their lives.

Overall, it was a comprehensive coaching period focused on mental and perspective development.

The goal was to equip individuals with the confidence needed to engage in physical battles and to instil a belief that unconventional actions, like silently walking around the walls of Jericho, were not crazy.

On the seventh day, they shouted with the expectation that, somehow, they would succeed in overthrowing the city.

At this point, they understood enough about God to recognize that the same God who had performed the miracle of the ten plagues in Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release them from slavery — who parted the Red Sea, turned bitter water at Marah into sweet, provided water from a rock in the desert, fed them manna every day without fail, supplied quails for meat, and parted the River Jordan so they could cross over on dry land — was capable of doing all things.

Did they reach the promised land? Yes, they did.

What about David?

Even at a young age, being the outcast in his family gave him the opportunity to learn to rely on God.

It took David a significant amount of time — some say between ten to fifteen years — between the moment he was anointed as king and when he actually became king at the age of thirty.

The time for his word to be fulfilled did not arrive until ten to fifteen years later. What people don’t realise is that his training to become king had actually begun much earlier.

While he was being relegated to the background as a teenager, he was inadvertently set apart for this preparation. With plenty of time alone, he was able to spend more time with God.

David’s older brothers were strong and well-built, which is why they were selected to join Saul’s army. In contrast, David was asked to stay behind and take care of the sheep.

However, his brothers had not experienced God in the same personal way that David had. As a result, they lacked the perspective, courage, and confidence needed to face the giant.

I believe they might have even run away at the sight of a lion or a bear.

That was why only David could take on Goliath when no one else would.

Before killing the giant, he had seen things they hadn’t seen, done things they had never done, and he knew what they didn’t know.

What about the time after David had to leave Saul’s palace for his own safety? Most people would have thought it was all over then.

Photo by Joseph Corl on Unsplash

After all, God’s anointed had become a fugitive.

However, I believe that his period of apprenticeship had simply come to an end.

As I read through that period of David’s life, I saw it as essential for his overall development. During that time, he became wealthier, built alliances with kings, and acquired more weapons. It’s important to remember that the kingdom of Israel was initially impoverished due to the oppression of the Philistines.

Since Saul was their first king, only Saul and Jonathan possessed actual iron swords and spears. The Philistines had monopolised ironworking technology and forbade the Israelites from having blacksmiths to prevent rebellion.

Did David ultimately become king? Yes, he did — and he was quite wealthy too.

According to biblical accounts about Jesus, immediately after he was baptized, he was drawn into the wilderness for a period of fasting and prayer.

The disciples waited…

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49.

…till they were transformed from individuals who would deny their beloved Jesus out of fear to bold men who preached and won 3,000 souls for Him in a single day. They were willing to be beaten, stoned, and even face death for their faith.

Also, take Paul for example. After encountering Jesus, he became blind, and that experience led him into a deep period of fasting and prayer. During this time, his name changed from Saul to Paul.

And?

The transformation was so evident that it was almost unbelievable.

The experience that knocked him to the ground was distinct and definitive.

Photo by Ovi Alam on Unsplash

At this point, I should ask you to take a moment to reflect on your life. Have you ever taken the time to be still?

Have you encountered God personally yet?

When was the last time you sat in silence? Are you sitting still right now?

As if you are in a period of waiting, it’s important to consider what God is doing during this season of your life. (If you don’t know, ask Him for understanding)

Ask for the grace and courage to make the most of the opportunities presented to you, along with the wisdom to navigate your journey while trusting Him. Also, ask for the confidence to take action as His Spirit prompts you, so you don’t unnecessarily prolong the process.

Above all, ask for the peace of God, which transcends all human understanding, surpasses every circumstance, and elevates you above anxiety and despair.

Until next time,

WithGod’sLoveAndLight,

Emuesiri.