Lenten Contemplations

Days 37 - 38

Waiting on the Lord.

"Wait for the Lord, take courage;
     be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!"

Psalm 27:14, The New American Bible

 

Sooner or later we have to make a choice between options.  We have a few choices before us, each with it's own set of circumstances and outcomes.   These options may deliver desirable results, but the clear choice is obfuscated by potentially undesirable consequences.  We may feel like we don't know, with confidence, what to do.  It's almost like a self-imposed paralysis in the thought-to-action process.  

Having patience is key.  It's been said, "If you don't know what to do, then do nothing."  To some people this seems like a passive and noncommittal response, however, what it is, (or at least what I've found and discovered it to be), is wisdom.  There's a reason you don't know what to do; sometimes all the information isn't in yet (and that's a big one); sometimes there's unforeseen obstacles and perhaps our angels are keeping us at bay from them.  Or maybe, we are being deceived. 

Many, many reasons, to sit back patiently and contemplate what will best serve the situation, those involved, and yourself.  So we listen to and trust this voice inside that tells us to be careful.  We've heard it most of our lives without attributing intelligence to that voice - as if it's some random thought without authority.  This is ok, for if you respect the voice, the results will prove worthwhile.  However, by discerning the authority that comes with that voice, you have this greater level of confidence and this contemplative process with the divine.  Recognizing our souls are safeguarded by the heavenly kingdom, we can be assured that we are being guided.  But ultimately God has given us free will and choice, and this makes us the grand executor of our lives.

This is where it takes great patience, submission and faith to accept what is in front of us and surrender our wills to the higher authority which knows our best path, and which we know will deliver the best answer.  Yes, sometimes it's not the answer we want, but following that correct path, we find the outcome is much better than what the others paths would have delivered.  Sometimes we don't get this revelation for years.  We may have accepted a "lesser" choice and wondered about it for years, and then one day, the answer is shown to us.  The light reveals the truth and our hearts are filled with gratitude to our heavenly Father for protecting us from things we didn't even know were happening.

It's always best to wait on the Lord.  He made the world, creation, all beings and creatures, the earth, the heavens and the stars, I think we can trust that if we are asking him for advice, that his advice will be the best option, producing the most fruit.   When we take the time to talk to our heavenly Father and pray in Jesus' name that our prayers be heard and answered and that the Holy Spirit be with us, we find ourselves contending with how to handle all the blessings rather than all the clamor created by our own obstinance to do things "our way". 

Yes, wait on the Lord - even if it seems he isn't responding, for it is also up to us to trust him as he entrust us with his Holy Spirit.

 

 

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."