Pastor’s Corner: Waiting patiently

— I am in the middle of an “Oh, Wow!” moment with God. I am always blown away with God’s patience with me as I am a work in progress. I see that this is what sanctification is all about. Sanctification is a word that we use in “church speak” to describe the process that Christians go through as we seek to be more holy or set apart. In reality, it is the work of the Holy Spirit refining us to be more like Jesus.

Sanctification can often be a difficult time for me because I need to let go of something that I have held onto for a long time.

Sometimes it is a sin that I have been battling, but sometimes it is a personality trait that needs to come under the submission of God’s Word. The problem comes when it is something that my flesh (more Christian speak, that means my desires) does a real battle with the work of the Holy Spirit.

This is where I find myself today and maybe you can identify with my struggle. My struggle is with a personality trait that I have that is a fast-paced mindset. I see things that need to get done and want to do it right away. I don’t have a lot of patience for others getting in my way. I often rush the process, or those around me, because my brain races until it is finished.

The problem with that way of thinking is that I get frustrated with people and God when things do not move at the pace I feel they should, as if I know better than God on how things should work, or I know perfect timing better than He does. This mindset also corrupts relationship of those closest to me. I have a 9-year-old son who has inherited my personality.

He wants things done fast and in his timing. He has undoubtedly learned that from me.

In Psalm 27:14 it says, “Wait patiently for theLord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

Waiting patiently for the Lord requires my utmost trust in God and His plan. I love God and I trust God but there are times that I am convinced that He needs my help.

He needs me to lay out my argument as to how He should respond to my situation. When I step back and examine myself, I can’t help but to laugh at my situation. The Creator of the universe, the One that knows the number of hairs on my head, the One that knew when I would be born and knows when I will die, certainly knows what I need.

So I find myself lead to repent, but it also helps me know how to pray. That to me is a win-win situation. I have an “Oh, wow” moment because God has shown me that, in the waiting, it’s more about what He wants to do in my life.

Then in the midst of the waiting, He reveals to me I need to submit to His timing and authority. I need to constantly ask myself “Do I trust God enough to move at His pace?”

If you have trouble with patience or control let me encourage you today to stop, pray, wait and then move. Stop trying to control every aspect of your life. Pray and ask for forgiveness and then pray for strength against the temptation to take control.

Wait patiently for the Lord (Psalm 27:14). Then move when He says move.

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Editor’s note: Michael Smith is the youth pastor of First Baptist Church, Pea Ridge. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Church, Pages 2 on 03/14/2012