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DAY 4: IMPATIENCE
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. [Galatians 6:9, ESV]
Part of submitting to God’s will is that we must also submit to God’s timing. God’s timing is perfect, and God knows best. The hardest part of walking in faith (for me, at least) is waiting for God. When God gives somebody a desire, that desire is incredibly powerful. That desire will not lose its appeal; it will not come and go; it will not be something that is on the mind for a moment, only to be missing the next.
In the words of Charles Spurgeon, when one receives a calling from the Lord, it is “an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work.” He also describes the way it feels to have been called by God as “an irresistible, overwhelming craving, and [a] raging thirst”. Spurgeon was describing the way it feels to be called to preach the Word of God, but I believe that his description of feeling God’s calling applies to more than just preaching.
Similarly to the way the Lord sought out Hagar, we do not choose to go into ministry, rather, we are chosen by God. Each of us is given certain gifts by God, and it is God who will reveal what it is that He has called us to do. When God reveals what you have been called to do, the desire to do that thing is stronger than any other desire. It is because of this “raging thirst” that patience becomes such a difficult part of walking in faith.
In times of waiting, we must pray for God to help us. We must regularly ask God to give us patience, to give us His peace, and to help us trust Him during our season of waiting on Him. There is a purpose in every moment that we wait on God, and we should not seek to escape our current situation before God guides us out of it. As you wait, the best thing to do is to focus on what God has done, what He is doing, and how you can serve Him today. Ask God to give you patience; trust in Him; and allow Him to work in your heart and your life. As you wait, your faith will be strengthened, and you will be prepared for what God has for you. As difficult as it may be to wait, remember that God’s timing is perfect. The time will come for you to do what you have been called to do, and that time will come suddenly. The time of waiting will come to an end, and it will be better than you could have ever imagined. Thank God today; thank Him for all that He has done, all that He is doing, and all that He will do. Have peace in the knowledge that God is in control of your situation.
REFLECT:
- What do you feel called to do?
- How have you prepared for what God has called you to do?
- What can you do to prepare for what God has called you to do?
About this Plan
When God gives us the gift of faith, it is imperative that we are good stewards of the gift that we have received. If we are not careful, we may delay what God wants to do in our lives. By the end of this plan, you should have a solid understanding of how to protect the faith that you have received so that you can watch the Lord work powerfully in your life. Faith is a gift, and we must protect it.
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