Amongst all the different types of books to read I think an autobiography is one of the best. If it’s in an easy style and has an intrigue all of its own then we can learn and even be entertained from it.
Recently I was reading about the life story of a young man who was overflowing with faith and felt the call of God to enter full time ministry at his local church. He had a wife, two children and a good job. Due to his eagerness to fulfil his calling, he gave up his job to enter the ministry. However, complications arose in that there was no funding for his anticipated call and so sheepishly he had to ask for his job back to maintain a provision for his family.
There is a phrase that comes to my mind in this instance: ‘patient faith.’ In faith we may move too fast! Without faith we may not move at all! If we wait, discern and trust with faith, then God’s timing becomes perfect for us. It is vital to exercise ‘patient faith,’ knowing that God will provide and open and close doors that otherwise would not happen.
In recent insights we have covered themes on faith: recognising how to see, hear and think. At this point may we consider how best to have a ‘patient faith.’
Timing is so important in every aspect of life. One of the English rugby players after the recent semi-final rugby world cup win over New Zealand suggested that there comes a time, when you have to embrace that which is before you in a timely manner!
Many in the Old and New Testament waited for the coming of the promised Messiah only to be distracted and not welcome the anticipated and unexpected Messiah.
In John 2 Jesus’s mother impatiently wanted Jesus to show his power at work in the changing of the water into wine. He inferred, quite indignantly, be patient: my time, my hour to act, is not come yet but leave it with me and I’ll deal with the situation. Jesus then choose to perform His first miracle.
In John 17 v 1 -2 Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven and declared to his disciples that the hour had come to bring glory to the Father, through the work of the Son granting eternal life to all who follow Him.
In Acts 1 v 4 Jesus explicitly tells the disciples to wait for what the Father had promised, of which, He said you have heard Me speak. The Holy Spirit would go on to empower the disciples in their own private and public ministry. This followed on from Jesus’s teaching on the Holy Spirit in John 16. It was to the disciple’s advantage to wait and receive the power and presence of the Holy Spirit following the absence of Jesus.
A few weeks ago I witnessed a real life story of a couple who over many years have had to work through many personal challenges in life. After years of rejection, ill health and wondering what was going on and where was the Lord in it all, the husband was inducted as the Minister of a church in Greater Manchester. He had ‘patiently waited in faith,’ for a fulfilment of a call and direction in his life.
Forward
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Distractions — Prayer and God’s presence — Directions
Faith and Trust
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Backwards
In waiting we will have to stop, ponder and consider. To rest, recoup and recall.
In waiting we seek to pray and experience an extra sense of God’s loving presence. Also to exercise a greater ‘faith and trust’ alongside the many distractions and directions that come our way.
So in time and by holding on to a ‘patient faith,’ God’s promises and pathways can become clear to us.
Graham
Explore to Inspire 