Welcome to Day 11 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be… Or…simply: Be…
Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin”
and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you’d like
to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here.
This morning as I sat down to write this post these lyrics to a song ran through my mind….
“Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord.”
Earlier, I had been mulling over a few different directions I wanted to take our Friday topic: Be…Strong. But, after the song’s lyrics kept playing over in my mind, I knew I had to follow the nudging.
Here’s a lesson I have been learning…
“Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord.”
I know…it’s the same as the lyrics.
Maybe you’re going through a hard time.
My friend used to say to me, “This is too hard, I can’t do it.” There was no discounting that she was in very deep waters. Be the reality was that, somehow, she managed to swim and tread water, but didn’t sink. Without even realizing it, she was strong.
I’m living in this “inbetween” time that is very uncomfortable. I, too, could say it’s too hard. In fact, I’ve caught myself starting to say it, and then stopping short. Just like my friend, somehow my head is still above the water.
My discovery….
For nearly a year God has shown me that I am to wait on him. Sounds crazy and nebulous. But, let me explain. When we wait on God to do something we essentially are doing only one thing…which is almost doing nothing. Just think of that last appointment you had. How long did you have to wait until your saw your dentist, your mechanic, or your potential employer? While we wait there isn’t much for us to do. Sure we can sit in that chair and read. But really, there isn’t much doing….it’s pretty much just being ready to see the person whom we can to see.
It’s about our exploring together how to “be” rather than “do.”
But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength.
They will rise up with wings like eagles.
They will run and not get tired.
They will walk and not become weak.
Isaiah 40:31 NLV
Have you had one of those “duh” moments? This is certainly mine. Why have I not “gotten” this before?
Our strength will come when we wait on the Lord. That’s it. Being… That’s all.
When we make our own way….and believe me I’m good at that….it uses all our energy….body, mind, and emotions. That’s doing… And in doing we become weaker. It empties us of any strength we have.
Back to sitting in that chair waiting for that appointment. I’m sure that our minds are engaged in what we’ll talk about during the appointment. But, our bodies aren’t moving, for the most part, we are at rest.
That’s what God want us to do. Rest. Not do. He doesn’t want us to figure it out. He wants us to trust him. He wants us to rest. He doesn’t want us to get impatient and open the office door and ask the doctor or whomever we have the appointment with what is taking so long and tell her to speed things up. Nope. When it’s time for our appointment…the appointment will take place. There is no energy expended in this waiting other than letting go of our personal agenda of time and space. There is nothing for us to do. We just wait.
Whatever it is that we need strength for….we wait. And at the proper time…we will be ready…and strong.
How do we get strong?
Wait on the Lord.
Waiting take perseverance. It’s not easy to wait. (Don’t I know!)
What is the result of perseverance? Character.
If we have character are we whimps? Nope. We’re strong.
Maybe this post was for you today. If it was…please let me know.
I kinda think maybe it was for me. Just maybe. [wink]
Day 11 Challenge: Do some self-reflection. Are you strong? Where do you get your strength? Do you feel like you need to be “doing” something to make yourself strong or to have the strength to get through your troubles? What can you do (or what do you need to do) to get strong?
Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your thoughtful comments make my day.
Be Strong…
Diane
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I really needed to hear this-again-today. I too am waiting. I need to remember it is God’s timing, not mine. And to patiently wait. Thank you
Praise God! His timing is always right…in all things.
Lifting you up in prayer right now.
[hugs]
Thank you so much for sharing this today, I am in the waiting stage, I think I have been waiting for prob almost 2 years. Sometimes I have to admit I want to go and knock on that door and say “hey have you forgotten about me?” but God has reminded me time and time again, He is My Provider, He is My All In All!! I remember the song we used to sing in church “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not grow faint, Teach me Lord, Teach me Lord to wait…. God’s timing is perfect, and in this hurry up society, most people just don’t get it, but I know He has a greater plan and purpose for each of us as we wait for His best. Many blessings to you and your family.
[smile] I’m not sure I want to be taught to wait, Babette. These lessons are super hard. Two years is a long time of training. We’ve been waiting more than four years with a 14 month intermission/hiatus in the middle. Persevering is one of the toughest things to do. Everyday reminding ourselves of who God is and all his characteristics seems to help me trust him more. I’m reminded that Jesus told us when he left the earth that he would be with us always. (Matthew 28:20) That’s a good promise to stand on. Yes?
Thanks for sharing your heart. Praying with you for God’s favor and the quick end to your wait.
[hugs]
~Diane
Thank you so much for this message. I think it was for me. I need to be reminded (often) that things are not going to happen in my time frame. Enjoy your weekend!
That’s truly a God thing. Praise HIS Name!!!
Blessings!!!
God promises that those who wait upon Him will mount up with wings as eagles, they will run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. I am so thankful that He strengthens me during my waiting seasons. Blessings!
Just think of how strong we are becoming. 🙂 [big cheesy grin]
Thank you so much…the timing of my reading this post is amazing. God truly know when you need to hear something.
Yay God!!! His ways are amazing.
Thanks for letting me know Tiffany!
May you sense God’s presence and faithfulness this weekend.
~Diane
I had to smile at the folks who thought this was their message. LOL Everyone knows it was for ME. ROFL
It’s ALWAYS for me….I don’t get messages delivered with the wrong address, even though I’d like to hand some back to the Big Guy with a ‘return to sender’ some days. 😉
Do some self-reflection. Are you strong?
Oh yes…..even when I don’t wanna be, I am.
Where do you get your strength?
From the experiences I’ve gotten to live through and the lessons therein. I’m ever reminded they’re just the circumstances–they’re not my destiny.
Do you feel like you need to be “doing” something to make yourself strong or to have the strength to get through your troubles?
I do–but I think it’s a different ‘doing’ than you meant. I need to be centered in where my worth and value come from, and I need to be connected through prayer/meditation and conscious contact with Him. That’s what helps me persevere.
What can you do (or what do you need to do) to get strong?
See above. And stick with people who affirm what I know as ‘true’, who remind of the lessons and places I’ve been. Those are cool things to draw from when I get to whining too much. Yikes…..LOL They set me straight!
Oh Mel…yes…we would love to ‘return to sender’ some days for sure!! 🙂
What good perspective…”they’re just circumstances.”
Hmmm….I actually think we might have similar thoughts on the ‘doing.’ That’s the only doing that really makes a difference. 😉
I’m glad you have people in your life who can affirm the truth. That is priceless.
Blessings, my friend!!
While I loved your table and those sweet pumpkins and flatware holders, I really appreciated the words that you wrote in this post. I totally agree. The dining room to me is the heart of the home more than the kitchen. It is the place where my family gathers for important occasions and where love, laughter and serious discussions take place. I always try to make the table, as special as possible. Thanks for your lovely post…
Diane…your words were like a warm hug this morning! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and share.
Hope your week is truly Extraordinary!
~Diane