Patience...

Me @ Colossae in Turkey...I remember it seemed like a long
time to wait for this trip...now it's already been around
6 months!  How impatient I am compared to God...
Yes it was worth the wait...it was only the
beginning of this new season for me.

God often speaks to me through ideas and being a creative and somewhat practical person this works well…this is not to say that He doesn’t speak to me in other ways because He does.

But often I’ll get an idea and it’s confirmed by His Word and people and then I’ll run with it…again God knows me better than anyone and we relate well this way…

Honestly, since I re-committed my life to Jesus in 2005 God has often just given me small glimpses of what lay ahead…

Small easily digestible, bite size pieces that have been quite manageable…never the whole picture, just the next step and I have needed to take courageous steps of faithful obedience (this is not to say that I have always gotten it right).

So you see, I get an idea and end up running with it…

But recently I have entered a new season and God is continuing to faithfully grow me and I am continuing to learn trust and patience in a whole new way.

I believe my wilderness experience of the past 2 years is now finished and I am in a secure and safe transitioning season of preparation for the next chapter…It is this next chapter which I believe God has been speaking to me very clearly about over the past six months…

It’s funny isn’t it how we can struggle to be content with our current circumstances and think that the grass is greener over the next hill?  You see, I’ve wanted a glimpse of the bigger picture for years now and it seems almost suddenly I’ve received it and what is my reaction???

Some anxiety and impatience mixed in with trust and obedience!

Of course I don’t have the whole picture…who does…and I am not even 40 years old!

But The Lord is so faithful and patient with me…He has spoken to me and given me a more long term picture and He keeps reassuring me that all is well and that what He says is true and trustworthy – I keep firm in this Truth.

Doubt is such a killer for faithful obedience…

It can truly be trying to keep sure in The Lord’s purpose and plan when doubts arise due to the extended time it may take to faithfully wait and persevere until God’s timing is right…but oh how His good plan for us is worth the wait.

When doubts and fear arise I know that this type of reaction is not His desire for me and so I focus on the scriptures He has given me and what I know is the Truth and this keeps me securely anchored and on His path for my life.

Patience…we need to learn this time and time again to keep maturing…and yes sometimes I find this a struggle, being naturally a short-termed, goal orientated person.  God however, as a loving parent to us, continues to teach us and stretch us, shaping us into maturity to be more like Jesus…and this makes sense to me, for I know I desire my three sons to be mature, wise, godly men.

So as I wait in this season of preparation for His good plan to keep unfolding, I try to find a patient balance of holding onto the beautiful picture He has given me and focusing upon the present short-term goals which must be fulfilled first…and I do this while having lots of cuppas and catch-ups with friends along the way, finding joy in my present day circumstances.

Lots of love and patience to you in Jesus name, Melanie.