Preacher's Notebook

This scripture came to me this week during my personal devotions. It’s a beautiful scripture and sentiment, in theory, but in practice it can be difficult and quite elusive.

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31, KJV

I’m a pretty typical, Type A personality type. I’m hyper organized, super time conscious, and an incessant list maker. In short, I like to keep things moving. I like to get things done. My entire day, week, and month is charted, mapped out, and color coded in Outlook. Both personally and professionally, I hate standing around and doing nothing. I knew a preacher a long time ago that used to say, “There are two types of people in this world. Those that watch things happen and those that make things happen!” I’m definitely one of the mover and shaker variety.

Where I find myself struggling the most is when God’s timeline and my myriad of lists of things and projects to touch week in and week out don’t really align. Patience is not only a virtue, it’s a talent and skill that needs to be practiced and honed. Patience is a lot of work because it takes discipline and sometimes years of experience. Patience is not a natural or default setting…at least it’s not for me. In this day of instant everything, waiting on God to answer a prayer or show us direction can really sap our energy or depress us altogether. Impatience sometimes can be the “demon” that requires exorcism. And that we know, because Jesus told us, sometimes might even require fasting and prayer.

If you’ve been praying for something or someone. Hold on and keep waiting. If you’re like a lot of us, who have a few different brands in the fire and you need multiple or layered answers. Hold on and keep waiting. Renewal is coming. Strength is coming. New heights and levels of energy and stamina are coming. It’s not easy and it sure doesn’t feel good a lot of the time, well, most of the time. Keep hoping. Keep praying. Keep waiting.