Tag Archives: wait on God’s timing

While We Wait

Posted on by

By Sandy Kirby Quandt

Right now I’m in a season of waiting … again …

In an earlier post, I mentioned the patience Noah needed while he waited for God to open  the door to the ark after the flood.

This post is inspired by the account of the disciples on the sea during the storm. (Matthew 14:22-33)

Among the many things I thought about as I reread this story was the fact Jesus sent the disciples out in the boat and told them to wait for him.

It wasn’t until the disciples had been in the boat since before sunset of the previous day that Jesus appeared to them walking on the water between 3:00–6:00 a.m.

There are numerous accounts in the Bible of people who waited for one thing or the other.

For years Hannah prayed and waited for the LORD to give her a child.

Anna and Simeon both prayed and waited to old age before God fulfilled his promise to allow them to see the Messiah.

The Israelites waited for someone to deliver them from Egypt.

Then they waited 40 years to enter the Promised Land.

David waited over fourteen years to become king.

We wait for children to be born.

We wait for the right job. Right spouse. Right home. Right economic climate.

We wait for unanswered prayers. Healing. Peace. Restoration.

We wait for that book contract. College acceptance letter. Prodigal to come home.

We hurry up and wait.

Let’s go back to the disciples in the boat on the sea during the horrible storm.

They had no other option but to wait on Jesus, did they?

They didn’t have the power to stop the raging wind and rain. They didn’t have the power to get safely to shore on their own. They had to wait no matter how long it took before Jesus arrived and saved them.

I believe it’s the same for us. Sure we can be like Sarah and Abraham, take things into our own hands and try to rush God into action.

Any other hands raised out there who’ve foolishly tried this?

But when the disciples waited, Jesus showed up at just the right time. He arrived at the exact moment that would prove who he was. The One with the power to calm the sea and command the wind to be still.

And while they waited perhaps their faith grew stronger. Perhaps their confidence increased. Perhaps they realized it really wasn’t about them after all, but about the Savior they loved and served.

What do you think? Is waiting something you find easy to do or is it difficult? I’m not real fond of waiting but I’m getting better at it. I’m beginning to realize I don’t have a whole lot of choice in the matter.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

But I will watch for the Lord; I will wait confidently for God, who will save me. My God will hear me. Micah 7:7 (GNT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

One of my posts is scheduled to appear on Inspire a Fire October 6, 2015. Please stop by and check it out.

Sunday Scriptures — Little By Little

Posted on by

By Sandy Kirby Quandt

As a writer I face rejection right along with acceptance of the work I submit. It’s all part of the process. Obviously, I prefer acceptance over rejection.

You don’t have to be a writer to understand what I’m talking about.

Have you ever applied for a job and not gotten it?

Asked someone out and they declined?

Auditioned for something and someone else was chosen?

Dreamed of your perfect life and it turns out anything but?

After I completed my first book for middle grade children, I knew without a doubt Mandee the Manatee’s story was brilliant. It needed no editing or correction. The book was gold, I’m telling you. Gold. Pilot was even going to illustrate it for me.

But it really wasn’t ready and it definitely wasn’t gold. Maybe somewhere in the bronze category. I know that now, but I didn’t at the time. I didn’t see the flaws and lack of writing skill. I didn’t understand I had a long way to go. I didn’t realize I wasn’t ready for prime time.

When the Israelites headed for the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt, God told them they would not quickly take the land. It was to be a gradual process. Little by little. The people weren’t ready to possess the land. They weren’t strong enough to occupy it. If they took the land too early wild animals would be everywhere, and the land would be poor.

God’s timing is perfect. His plan for our journey is perfect. Always has been. Always will be.

No doubt if I’d gotten Mandee published when I first finished it, I wouldn’t have been ready for that step in soooo many ways. Maybe you can say the same thing about your unrealized goals.

Waiting is difficult, is it not? But it’s better than going in too early and having animals running amok everywhere. Agreed?

So what is God working on, little by little, for you to take possession of?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below. If you think others would appreciate reading this please share it through the social media buttons.

But I won’t do all this in the first year, because the land would become poor, and wild animals would be everywhere. Instead, I will force out your enemies little by little and give your nation time to grow strong enough to take over the land. Exodus 23:29-30 (CEV)

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!