Day Fifteen -- November 4, 2018

But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

In our family, we all understood that if we went to a restaurant and the line was long and the wait more than a few minutes, we were not going to stay. We might spend an hour driving to different places but we weren't going to wait fifteen minutes just to get a seat at our favorite restaurant. I wonder how many good meals we missed just because we refused to wait?

In our current day of microwaves, 24-hour news, remote controls and drive-through windows, our ability to wait seems almost non-existent. I want it right now, and if you can't get it for me right now, I'll find someone who can.

But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Perhaps the most important task of the stewardship journey is to wait upon the Lord. Waiting upon God can take many different forms. One man turned his evening walk with his dog into his prayer and waiting time. Of course, after his potential pledge had more than doubled his wife told him, "Please stop taking the dog for a walk! I'll walk him from now on."

As we learn to wait upon God and listen for His still small voice, strange things begin to happen. We begin to experience renewal and strength, joy and peace. Waiting upon God can renew marriages, as couples wait upon God together. Career paths change as people seriously consider the question, "God, what do You want from me, not just financially but with my entire life?"

Waiting may not be easy. Waiting may require finding a specific time, perhaps in the car with the radio off, perhaps in the shower, perhaps taking an evening walk. Remember...

But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Questions to consider

1. Am I willing to wait upon God?
2. What are some of the barriers in my life that prevent me from waiting on God?
3. Is there a special time that I can devote to waiting upon God?

Prayer

Dear God, forgive me for always being in such a hurry. Teach me to slow down. Teach me to wait. Teach me to listen. In my waiting and listening, Oh God, bring renewal to my heart, my life, my family and my church, Amen.