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Leaping Ahead: When Impatience Leads Us Astray
Have you ever felt that urge to rush forward, to take control before the opportune moment arrives? It’s a familiar human experience, this desire to act rather than wait. Yet, Scripture offers a strong reminder of the pitfalls of impatience, as seen in the story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 13. Faced with a looming battle and the delayed arrival of Samuel, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered a sacrifice, a duty reserved only for the priesthood. His intentions might have seemed noble – to rally his troops – but his impatience and disregard for God’s established order ultimately cost him his kingship. Early in our…
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Getting Through the Muck
After a month at the beach, you can expect Beach Lessons in my posts! Here’s the first. This year we had a some seaweed just beyond the shore. If it’s out a ways, I don’t mind walking in the shallow water. But walking on and through wet, grassy gunk is not something I enjoy. But, what’s just beyond the seaweed? From the 18th floor balcony of our rental, I get a great look at the clear water beyond the dark mucky stuff. There is a sand bar out beyond as well. It’s shallow enough to stand on and draws many, including me at times, especially when it is clear and…
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A Short Fuse
Being Scotch-Irish through my dad’s side of the family, I grew up seeing a short fuse in action. And I inherited that short fuse! For a long time I just blamed it on my family background. But eventually, the Lord convicted me of my impatience and quick response of anger. I’m still learning about patience, but over the years I have seen God’s work in helping to lessen my quick, hot anger. One day I came across this quote from an unknown author: The wind of anger blows out the lamp of intelligence. Quite convicting. Proverbs 29:11 says… A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man holds it…
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The Word on Waiting
As “waiting” has been on my heart, and in my advent study, I’ve also been working throuh a Melissa Spoelstra study on Isaiah. (Check the blog category for more on the topic of Waiting) Once again, the Lord has connected it all today as I was in Isaiah 49. The author’s focus was “we can trust God’s timing because He sent His Son, Jesus, just as He promised.” This message is very similar to what I’ve learned through the advent study, Our Hope Has Come! So, yes, Lord, I am listening while I’m waiting and waiting and waiting! I needed this reminder today and wanted to share some great waiting…
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Eternity is Worth the Wait: Lessons From a Social Media Fast #4
My daughter fasted from social media (not all internet) for a week and wrote some pretty powerful journals. I am so grateful she has allowed me to share some of what she wrote. You can read the previous posts here: #1, #2, and #3. The topic this day hits home with me as I also get frustrated when my internet connection doesn’t immediately download or an application doesn’t quickly open at my click! Perhaps you, too, need to take a break from social media, or perhaps the internet in general, for a period of time to focus on what truly matters! As you can see from this journal entry, eternity…
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God’s Timing
In a daily Scripture writing plan my life group has been challenged to do together, I recently wrote out Galatians 6:7-10. Verses 9-10 were definitely what I needed to hear that day: “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.“ Anyone else tired of waiting on God? Anyone ready to give up praying for a long time unanswered prayer need? Anyone exhausted from trying to pray for and carry each other’s burdens? I understand.…
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Impatience in Finding God’s Will
I love discipling Christian young women. They are so hungry to know Jesus and serve Him with their life. They are desperately seeking His calling, His purpose. They want to obey it and start living it out. But one thing I’m seeing as well is that they want that purpose to be clear and immediate. Their whole world is instant so why would understanding God’s will not also be instant? There is an impatience about their finding His will that sometimes leads to not being content, at peace, with where God has them currently. They may even be thinking, as I was in my younger life, that once we find…
