How many times do we try to rush the work of the Lord because our circumstances are uncomfortable? I have been guilty of impatience for all of my life. This scriptures never fails to help me achieve peace while waiting for the Lord to complete a work, bring healing, or answer a prayer.
Is there a reward to be found in practising patience? Oh yes!

Isaiah 40:31 says
But those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint
But what shall we do while waiting?
The word of God has that answer as well. The 12th chapter of Romans has some very good advice and a lot of instruction about what we are to do while waiting. I encourage you to read the whole chapter. In this chapter you will find that we are instructed to be a living sacrifice for Him, to be non-conformists to the world, we have gifts given by God to do good works; serve, teach, encourage and give generously. We are also advised to love what is good, hate what is evil and to put others above our own selves and be zealous in serving our Lord. Finally, we are to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those that mourn, live in harmony and peace with all people and practice hospitality. This hospitality should be extended to those that are not our brothers and sisters in Christ, of every social position and even those who have declared themselves our enemies!
Whoooeeee… if that doesn’t keep you occupied, nothing will!
At any given time we all are waiting on something from the Lord. His timing is perfect even when our patience is not. But rather than spending those days fretting and worrying put your energy into obeying Him through serving others and the time will speed and you will find work for your hands to do, hearts opened and filled with peace the passes all understanding.

In other words— avoid idleness and get busy people!

May the Lord bless you and keep you today

I have been experiencing a bit of the dark deep night that Christians occasionally face. This isn’t the first time that I have been thru a period of what felt like total aloneness.

You know what I mean, you can’t concentrate when you read or study the Word, the music that lifted you up or quieted your soul either irritates you or leaves you feeling numb, verses that you know by rote and depend upon to comfort you seemed to have been erased from your memory. And your prayer life? what prayer life? You stumble and stutter, get so sleepy, too busy, hit the wall and “bounce prayers off the ceiling”. That is the picture of me for the past few weeks.

In the past I would be rather frantic trying to figure out what was happening, or I would be angry and railing at God for “forsaking” me. Sometimes I would profess that I was giving up! I throw a FABULOUS pity party! But this time it has been quite different. I think I may have finally learned
(Lord, I sure hope so) the lesson from this type of testing.

What is the Lord teaching in times like these? Hold on. That is all, just hold on.

This time rather than questioning, praying and crying out. My conversations with Him have been different. I do not understand why I’m not feeling it, BUT my faith in Him (His wisdom and His timing) and simply knowing that He is here and will never forsake did not waver. I prayed, even when I didn’t feel it. I let the worship music play on even when it didn’t move me. I read and studied even if though I didn’t seem to understand a word. And I said ” Lord, I am holding on to you, no matter what.”
I have a little mantra that I favored . I don’t know the author or even where I first heard it. It says. I will not be moved by what I feel, by what I see or by what I hear; I will only be moved by God.
Now, I have adapted it to say I will hold on when I don’t see , when I cannot hear and I do not feel; I know that He is still here.

If you are struggling in the deep, reach out and just hold on. Determine to stay the course. You can trust that our Lord will take you thru the deepest, darkest, quietest times. Just Hold On. May you be blessed abundantly today and every day.

Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

From the Fruit as Art Series —

All this beauty deep in the sea, made by God's hand just for me ( and you)

Johnson City Road Trip

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