Shut Up and Dribble

  Let Go and Let God -but what happens when God puts us on hold?

And so you have prayed, knocked on many doors, sought answers to the questions that plague you; the circumstances still confound you, and still, you have no answers; the doors remain shut, and you have not found what you have been seeking. What now? Do you give up, throw in the towel, and declare that God has failed to live up to His word? Or is there a deeper meaning in all of this? Surely, God has not abandoned or left us without a word for these moments when all we see is confusion. I would suggest, "We must determine if it is in the time of God." Put simply, Has God put you on Hold?"  I hear you out there. Let's see what the Bible tells us.

 

I am reminded of the Children in Isreal, just after they had been rescued from slavery. In a desert, when all progress stopped, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. (Exo. 13: 21-22: Num. 14:14). They were not without guidance, for the Lord gave them a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. They did not follow their judgments but followed the "will of God." So they did enjoy the presence of God. They had heavenly food in the form of manna, they had water, and everything they needed -yet they wandered in the wilderness. God had placed them on hold until Moses died, and God called Joshua to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River into the promised land. But the route was circuitous and depended upon spies, a prostitute named Rehab, and they had to fight a war. 

This tells us that even though we might not see God working, He still provides us with "manna," directing our path, using strangers to help us in times of need, and never fails. 

But in our Instagram universe, where we expect our meals and outcomes to be "shake and bake" immediate realities, there are times when God places us on hold. Want some other examples. 

When we are just starting our journey with the Lord, there is an immediacy to His wonders. Miracles, grace, and mercy are ever present. And we are amazed by the blessings, favor, and abundance that seem just to show up. But then, as we mature, the pace of God's wonders slows down. Much like David when he declares: David declares almost in frustration, "I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched, my eyes fail while I wait for my God." (Ps. 69:3)  God sometimes uses delays to teach us patience and long-suffering and increase our faith. So that we, even though we wait, can declare like David that "My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation."

And then there was Sarah, who had been promised a child but had to wait for 25 years for the baby to arrive (Genesis 12:21). After ten years of waiting, Sarah and Abraham, decided to help God along and took matters into their own hands—the outcome, Ishmail -a child by Abraham and the servant Hagar. Distraught and feeling that she has been abandoned, Sarah is reminded of the promise. She replies in disbelief and says, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?" (Gen. 18:12b). It is then we learn of God's purpose and message to us all "Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son." (Gen. 18:14). We know the how the story ends -Sarah has her Son, just as God had promised, 25 years later.   

Now consider when Jesus was late.

 You remember the story. Where Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, had died. Martha confronts Jesus and says: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John. 11:21). So why was Jesus late? We are told in John 11:5-6 that after he had heard from Jary and Marth that their brother was sick, He delayed his departure by two days. Why – let's go back to the word. We find out in John 11:4 that he knew that Lazarus's illness was "not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." So, unpacking this was the "will of God" that would be used to manifest God's plan and glorify Jesus as God's Son. It also revealed that Jesus, who had already healed the sick and the lame, caused the blind to see and release those possessed by demons. But now, by arriving four days late, assured that Lassarus had died -allowed Jesus to demonstrate that He had power over even death itself. This was a prelude to his own resurrection. 

So what does it mean when God puts us on hold when we must learn to "wait"? Why -well, "they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31). Sometimes, the time is not right, and God declares a timeout. It is not that God is late, but we are not ready. So, as He prepares us, strengthens us, and makes us the vessels of his purpose -sometimes we need to wait.