September 29, 2020
The Season of Wait
Lisa Morrone, PT
Today’s Truth
My sheep hear my voice… and they follow [obey] me (John 10:27, NIV).
Friend to Friend
Be still.
Huh…Do I have to?
Honestly, I am not particularly fond of the word “still.” For a super productive ‘doer’ like myself, the word conjures up images of idleness, passiveness, and inactivity. It just plain goes against my grain!
Even when the word is used to describe the prolonged state of something (for example, “I still struggle with perfectionism”, or “He still hasn’t cleaned up this mess”, or “I am still waiting”) it continues to express a lack of progress, of forward motion, of gaining of new ground. None of these conditions put me at ease.
Yet in Today’s Truth, when the Lord says, “Be still, and know that I am God,” it’s written as a directive to you and me, not merely a suggestion.
Huh…Then I guess I have to!
Last year my husband and I moved—by choice—500 miles away to a new home. In so doing, I left behind my friends, my family, my church body, my teaching career, my physical therapy practice…and the Island which had been my home since I was born. I quickly realized, after I had accomplished the tedious chore of unpacking our boxes and had completed the setup of our new home, that I hadn’t much else to do. No friends to lunch with, no students to teach, no patients to treat, and no local church ministry to put my energies into.
As I prayed fervently for all of these personal treasures to be restored to me, the Lord had an answer for me. He simply said, “Wait.”
Oh, no, not W-A-I-T!
The Holy Spirit basically told me to sit back and enjoy this season of wait. (Seriously, doesn’t He know who He’s talking to?) Additionally, He asked me to shake off the notions of what I wanted (and when) and instead to begin to pray for what Jesus wanted for me…in His time, and in His configuration. Then He redirected my prayers’ focus. He told me to pray for my growth IN THE SEASON OF WAIT.
That’s a whole new concept for a doer like myself!
There are so many things I am waiting for—have been waiting for—for many years. The salvation of sweet friends, family members, and neighbors; the healing of the physical bodies of a few of the people who hold a special place in my heart; for many a prodigal child. Each reason for wait creates for me a season of wait.
Now here’s where our waiting becomes God magnifying: Because we are forced to ‘be still’ during a season of wait, we can be sure the outcome has nothing to do with us, and everything to do with God. His plans, His promises come to fruition in His time and in His way.
Embracing this truth has enabled me to truly rest while being still—to not wish the wait away but rather lean into God and His Word during my seasons of wait, fully assured that my wait will indeed have an end date.
Let’s Pray
Jesus, I confess that my get-up-and-go often has me running out ahead of You, and sometimes even running in the wrong direction. Please bless me with the ability to be content while I wait. Help me to live assured that the present waiting season is bringing about growth under the surface and is allowing for Your “set up” to take place for my future. May I submit my life FULLY to Your plans, Your timing, and Your will.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It's Your Turn
What is it that you are waiting on at this present time? Have you been peaceful in your prayerfully waiting, or have you been fitfully “pacing” in your prayer time? Change your focus by asking the Lord what He wants to grow or accomplish in you as you wait on Him.
More from the Girlfriends
Overcoming Overeating (Harvest House Publishers) is one of Lisa’s six books in her Restoring Your Temple® health resource collection. Her books are available on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or wherever books are sold.
Lisa Morrone, PT is a physical therapist, professor, author of six books, radio guest and event speaker who encourages people to “Get Healthy for Heaven’s Sake.” Visit Lisa’s website for more information and to sign up to receive her informative “Monday Morning Health Tips”!
