In the meantime

Monday Devotional – September 19 2022

In the meantime

“The first thing I observed under the sun was that we spend most of our lives waiting. There is always going to be a gap between where we are and where we want to be in some aspect of our lives. Everyone is waiting for something” Lady Kavan (Lessons in the Wait)

Read: 

'But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.' Isaiah 40:31

Reflect: 

I’ve heard it said that when we pray God gives one of  three answers; yes , no or wait. Of those three words the one that causes me the most sleepless nights, obsessive overthinking, tears, discomfort, weariness and sometimes outright anger is”wait”. I do not like waiting. Last year around this time I prepared a piece called Lessons in the Wait which was posted on Crystal Daye’s website. I find it interesting that sometimes a word of encouragement boldly declared in one season to another person is the same one you have to draw from to encourage yourself in another. Alas, as I reflect on this popular scripture in the amplified verson, my thoughts have been coming back to this concept of active waiting. What do I do while I wait for the next promise, the next opportunity the next thing?

For a long time my image of waiting was passive, still and inactive. These days I have come to understand the concept as one that more closely aligns with a waiter serving at a busy restaurant. To wait tables is to actively tend to the needs of the people you serve. A waiter who saunters, is lackluster or who sits relaxed while his guests are left in limbo is not seen as doing their job. So too must we learn to accept and practice active waiting.

What we do “in the meantime” matters. 

As I continue to learn to submit to the Sovereign will of God I realize that I will not always like His answers. But God is more concerned with teaching me to see, and walk in,  the  image of Himself He created me to be, rather than temporary comfort. So I remind myself, look for the lessons while you wait. Pray and do. Trust, expect, look for and hope in God while you fly, run and walk. That kind of waiting gives strength. 

Finally I leave this thought and scripture with you. A skilled farmer trains himself in times and seasons. He ploughs, plants and prunes. He puts in the work preparing for a harvest he hopes for but cant 100% definitively predict. He expects that if he sews a harvest is inevitable the “when” is up to God, science and nature. So must we sew in every area of our lives that we expect a harvest. ‘Meanwhile, brothers and sisters, we must be patient and filled with expectation as we wait for the appearing of the Lord. Think about the farmer who has to patiently wait for the earth’s harvest as it ripens because of the early and latter rains. So you also, keep your hopes high and be patient, for the presence of the Lord is drawing closer. ‘ James (Jacob) 5:7-8

Song of the Week:

Journal Prompt: 

What am I waiting for?

How can I actively wait (what steps of faith can I take while I wait?)

Declaration: 

I will actively wait on the Lord. I will pray and do. I will have faith and work towards my goals.

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Have a great week!

See you next week for another Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

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