Active waiting....

In contrasting trust and worry, it's easy to view trusting, turning things over to God as it were, as disengagement from the matter at hand. "Well, I'm done here. It's out of my hands. I'll just sit back and see what happens." Such a view is not only inaccurate, but unscriptural. Notice the activity in these verses about trusting and waiting:

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.  -Psalm 37:3-8

Sure, worry is holding onto a piece of what I should be leaving to God (because, frankly, it's way above my pay grade). But that doesn't mean trusting is the "give up play". It isn't punting on second down. If anything, it's having the confidence to go for it on fourth-and-37 because I have a quarterback with a long history of "making the play". Like Every. Single. Time. This is no time to go sit on the sidelines. I want to be in the game because something special is about to happen! I may only be running a decoy route down the right hash, but I have a part to play - I need to meet the opponent at the point of attack!

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.  -James 5:7-8 (ESV)

Waiting on God is not like waiting on a bus. In God's dynamic, waiting is not a passive activity. It means allowing God to work out His ways in His timing, without trying to force the issue. In the meantime, I remain engaged. I tend to the things God has placed before me, the assignments where He has already invited me to play a role in the outcome. I watch, I pray, I listen. When my number is called on the thing He and I have been discussing, I will be ready, even if my only job is to proclaim His goodness after the win. 

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.  -Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV)

This sets the stage for our discussion about Abiding. Make a point to join us at the Lodge next Friday, March 1, 6:15 AM. We'll hear what Abiding in Christ looks like for Steve Lampkin.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  -John 15:4-5 (ESV)

Heads up, eyes open, men!