Have you noticed that God usually works slowly, over the course of time? Actually, the Bible tells us that “the Lord is not slow about His promise {or His work}, as some count slowness, but is patient toward” us (2 Peter 3:9). God is all about being thorough, completing the task, bringing complete transformation. He doesn’t scribble out and write over, or cut and paste. He redeems, reclaims, rebuilds, refreshes and regenerates. He makes all things new, not newish.
But if you have humbly asked God to do a work in you–to cleanse you, create a clean heart in you, change your direction, increase your love for Him, change your affections, redirect your passions, build up your courage, put you on a new path, banish your demons–then you are probably ready for Him to get it done already. It often takes measurable pain and tears and regret and conviction to get us to the point of willingness, does it not? And once we’ve witnessed the ugliness of our ways or carried on our shoulders the weight of regret or shed the tears of remorse or looked ugly consequences squarely in the face…we’re already exhausted and so ready for the change we’ve submitted to.
Still, God uses time to change, heal, redirect, rebuild. He strings together hard moments and monotonous hours and long days and wearisome weeks and too many months to accomplish His work. He digs out. He levels off. He lays a firm foundation. He measures carefully and places intentionally. He is the Master Carpenter, building not a make-do but a masterpiece. He will not be rushed.
But if you’re on day two or in week one or even enduring month four, I thought you might could use some encouragement today. I’ve been there, sister. I’ve almost given up. I’ve wondered if I was the only one slow…if I was remedial. I’ve tapped my foot at God impatiently and thought perhaps I made His promises all up in my head. I’ve questioned why I was doing this anyhow, was it really necessary after all. I know how hard it is to wait well while God works.
Here’s a prayer I prayed often for months. I’m praying this prayer for you today, too. I know your heart is for God to work big. He will. Just give Him time, and give Him room. Your obedience is like a signed permission slip, allowing God to do the work only He can do. Only He can change a heart.
O Lord, enlighten whatever is dark in me…strengthen whatever is weak in me;
mend whatever is broken and heal whatever is sick in me.
Straighten whatever is twisted…revive whatever joy and peace and life have died in me.
Come, Lord Jesus, be the companion of my life and partner for all eternity.
–John Powell
And if you are someone who has made it to the other side of something long and hard and big, could you do me a favor? Could you echo my encouragement to someone today, someone who is struggling, hanging on by her nails, teetering on giving up? If you have a friend or co-worker or sister or daughter who is waiting on God to work, would you remind her that He is? And would you tell her that you’re praying for her (if you are) and that you’re rooting for her and that you see progress already (because you probably do and she may not)? Here’s a scripture for you, calling you to the work of encouragement:
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all. (1 Thessalonians 5:14, NET)
It’s hard, isn’t it? When you’ve come face to face with your faults or mistakes and want so desperately to be new? But you know God is the only one who can truly make all things new? Yeah, it’s a journey. But sister I promise you, “the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) God is always at work, even when you can’t feel it or hear it or see it. Wait well. Waiting is the hard work we do so God can do the work that only He can do. Wait well.
If your heart has been wounded and you are waiting for God to bring the healing that only He can bring, I’d like to suggest you try my Bible study, Joseph – Keeping a Soft Heart in a Hard Place. You’ll find more information here.
I was thankful to find a post today. Especially this one. I’m thankful for your words and your heart. And for your endurance so that you can be an example of making it out through something hard. Love you.
I am behind on reading these but never the less I thought I’d give you some encouragement. A few years ago I did a word study on the first place the word ‘hope’ appears in the bible ~ in the Book of Ruth ~ which has to do with Redemption. We then looked at all the other places the word ‘hope’ is used and it’s definitions. I would like to share this with you as at the time it gave me great encouragement while I wait for something.
Hope: expectation, looking forward to, i.e., a confidence in regard to a good and beneficial future. The root of this word is a cord (as an attachment). In psalm 38:15 it means ‘wait for’.
What I learned is that Christ is my rope ~ holding fast to me as my Kinsman Redeemer ~ while I am expectantly waiting for something to happen. I can wait at the end of my rope or I can wait closer to the cross; but He is always there with me while I wait.
Thank you for your words, they certainly reflect what I’ve experienced in the past.
I love that Joy. ” I can wait at the end of my rope or I can wait closer to the cross; but He is always there with me while I wait.” It makes the end of our rope a much safer place to be than we would think, huh? Thanks for sharing. And thank you so much for reading. 🙂