Job 17:11 – My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart. NIV
Romans 5:3,4 – We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. NLT
Psalm 27:14 – Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. KJV
Some seasons in life bring triumph, some bring trials, and some bring a little of both. As winter transitioned into spring this year, to my dismay, it nudged me further into my spiritual season of stillness. A season designed to slow one down; providing a span of time to recuperate, rejuvenate, and grow strong in preparation for the next season. Waiting can be difficult, and frankly I was weary of waiting. I wanted to tackle a new assignment and was eager to get things started. Surely I’d learned all of the intended lessons a quiet season teaches and was ready for God to use me in active service once again. Feeling invigorated, I headed to Victoria Park for a whirl around the ice rink. The sun was shining, the air was crisp, and the ice was fast. My enthusiasm took me to new heights and depths. I would sport a blue cast on my arm for the next seven weeks. Discomfort and limitation were my constant companions. I was now in misery and housebound. There would be no immediate relief or remedy. My new circumstances had not only increased my limitations, but had single-handedly squashed all of my current activities. This was a major setback. In the blink of an eye, I had been stopped in my tracks. Why? What purpose did this serve? All that was clear, was, that my season of stillness was not over yet.
Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ESV
At times like this, all we can do is wait upon the Lord, and draw near to Him in prayer. Our heavenly Father loves us, and won’t leave us alone. He knows the desires of our hearts, the paths we should take, and when we should take them. We may not understand the why’s in life, but we must trust the One who does. God alone knows what is ahead. He will prepare and equip us. In His perfect timing, He will move us exactly to the place where He can best use our skills and abilities for His glory. Sometimes that requires a season of stillness and waiting upon the Lord. Or, just maybe, these seasons come for God’s good pleasure. After all, He is our Heavenly Father. It’s possible that some seasons are designed to give God some special one-on-one time with each of His dear children.
Heavenly Father, we are Your dear children and we love You. Forgive us when we forget that we are the apple of Your eye and time spent with us brings You great pleasure. Thank you for tending to our needs and guiding our steps. May our acts of kindness, words of encouragement, and songs of praise, be pleasing in Your sight. Dear Lord, help us to wait with a glad heart. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.
London, Ontario, Canada