What Bothers Me About You Is the Reflection of My Issues

I attend a men's Bible study on Wednesday mornings and we have been making our way through the epistle of James. I sit with a great group of guys and a pretty good group dynamic has developed. A very nice gentlemen has joined our group lately. Observing him try to "lead" us along is interesting. The rest of us are comfortable with a moment of silence while we process whatever is being asked of us to discuss. Our new friend, I think, sort of sees us as a rudderless ship and he better get the conversation going. This week we looked at James 1:19-27. Verses 19-20 of course warranted much of our discussion. 

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 

James 1:19-20 (NIV)

Personally, waiting, being quick to listen to what the other men say has allowed me to hear some very wise words that I very much needed to hear. Even if I am the first to speak, I try to speak less so that I can hear what the Lord is speaking to and through the other guys. 

Now, one other thing. A pastor of mine once said that the imperfections of others was easy for us to notice (or bugs us) because it's like looking in the mirror. So I ask myself, am I bothered by someone else being quick to speak because I am quick to speak?

HAVE YOU LOOKED EVERYWHERE?

From the LORD comes deliverance. 
   May your blessing be on your people. Selah
Psalm 3:8

For some reason it is easy to forget that God is in control and that he is Sovereign over all things. Maybe you are at one of those places in your life where you have exhausted every opportunity, contact and idea you could think of to help get you out of the circumstances you are in. 

I am not going to be pious and tell you to pray because I assume you already have prayed and are praying. The other day my youngest son was in the kitchen looking for some hot sauce. He was actually standing right in front of it and it appeared that he was starring directly at it. But, he wasn't seeing it. Finally, he saw it and grabbed it. Sometimes maybe that is what waiting on God is like. We are looking in the right spot, we just don't see it yet.

I don't know why God makes us wait for deliverance sometimes. He does. He sees the end from the beginning and his desire is to shape us into the image of his Son, Jesus Christ. So, keep looking. 

Father, help us to know you as we wait on you and you shape us into the image of your Son, Jesus Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

CAN YOU SPELL WAIT?

The LORD is faithful to all his promises
   and loving toward all he has made.
The LORD upholds all those who fall
   and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
   and you give them their food at the proper time.
You uphold your hand
   and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
 Psalm 145:13b-16

"at the proper time"... A teacher from Capernwray Bible School used to say that waiting on God was one of the most difficult things for us as Christians to do. "I'll bet you can't even spell it! W-A-I-T, WAIT!" he would repeat throughout the semester. I wish I could say that I have learned to wait on God with more faith and trust than I did then. Maybe I have, but, it doesn't feel like it most of the time. 

The important truths to remember are that God is faithful and he is loving toward all he has made, including us. Maybe the vernacular for "at the proper time" is "wait for it...". 

Since God's ways are not my ways and his timing is not my timing I often find myself wondering what God is doing. I do know what God has said in the Bible. I do remember the times when God has worked, even when I thought it was impossible. My job is to wait on him, with open hands.  His promise is to uphold me, lift me up, give me my food at the proper time and satisfy my desires "at the proper time"...

Father, we wait with open hands and open hearts. Satisfy our desires with good things. Praise be to you in us to day!

ARE YOU GOOD AT WAITING?: Psalm 37:34

"Wait for the LORD 
     and keep his way. 
 He will exalt you to inherit the land; 
     when the wicked are cut off, you will see it."
 Psalm 37:34

Root canals and watching the bachelor may be the the only two things I like less than just plain waiting. I can complain about waiting for most things (although it will not speed thing up or take them away) but if I complain about waiting for God, then I feel guilty. I feel guilty because I know the truth is that he is Sovereign Lord and his time is not my time and his will is not my will. That said, I still an not good at waiting, even for God. But, I try to be. 

One of the many amazing truths about God is that even though I may not good at waiting. He is perfect at being God and nothing, not even my impatience, will hinder him from doing what he wants, when he wants. 

A few years ago I was in a group of teachers up for a group of positions ( a step up for me). My principal didn't show me the list that had my name on it until after the date for schools to select candidates. I was listed as just a teacher, not a categorical program coordinator and I was shown at the wrong school! No wonder no one called! A few days later a few of my friends and I prayed that God would work. The next day my principal told me a school wanted to hire me for the position. I was...not at peace shall we say for that week. But, God still was working and it ended up being  a great school to work at. 

God works despite us and separate from us. That is the truth.

If you have had an experience where you worried yet God work, please share with us in the comments section. 

Father, help us to keep our hope in you. Praise be to you in us today!