Have you ever faced a dip in your faith that sent you waiting on God for answers? Or, are you struggling with how to wait patiently for God to step in during tough times? If you ever wrestle with trusting God when life is hard, good news: You’re in a prime position to grow!
A LESSON FROM HABAKKUK
In the Bible we find an example of what it means to wait on God in Habakkuk 2. This minor prophet waited patiently on God during a time of destruction and despair in his city. Like Habakkuk, Americans in 2020 find themselves waiting on many things: Waiting for racial justice and change to come in the wake of the violent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Waiting for stay-at-home orders in the age of coronavirus to come to an end. While waiting on God when life gets hard, the book of Habakkuk calls us to LEAN IN. When we do this in the School of Waiting, we can actually gain new God-given patience, perseverance, and perspective.
PATIENCE
Patience is defined as "the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset." The truth is, God teaches every Christian to wait on Him at some point. From God's perspective, we can actually define patience as "laying down the burden of assumed omniscience." See, most of us assume we know what God should do in a particular situation. But, the reality is, HE has all the answers and can see the whole plan. In light of Eternity. So even though it's hard to be patient when we are in pain, God knows the School of Waiting is how he transforms the hearts of his dearest children. God's delays are not always God's denials!
PERSPECTIVE
The second gift God gives us in the dip of doubt is a new perspective. Specifically, he shows us how to see life from His vantage point. In Habakkuk 2, God calls Habakkuk to climb up a watchtower to wait and see how the Lord will answer his complaint. Likewise, when grappling with pain and doubt, we need to seek God's perspective on our pain. Ultimately, His goal for our lives is not HAPPINESS - it's HOLINESS. He wants to conform our character to the Character of Christ! We can take heart in this: God's dream of justice may be delayed in times of brokenness, but justice will not be denied! So, ask God to give you a new perspective - and to change your heart. That's how we change the world!
PERSEVERANCE
In the School of Waiting, God gives us patience...so we can gain His perspective...and finally, He grows in us perseverance. An ability to push through the pain, holding tight to Jesus and trusting Him to get to the other side. In the waiting, God is forging a NEW STRENGTH in you. See, we learn from the journey of Jesus that a Cross always comes before a Crown. Because of this, we can have great hope for the future!
Even when you cannot see it or feel it, know that God is at work. Jesus is on His throne - and He will give you patience, perspective and perseverance to make it through whatever life throws your way when you lean into Him during the dip. He is making all things new - Amen!
To continue learning how to lean in to Christ during times of waiting, we encourage you to listen to Liquid Church's message series "Surviving The Dip." Just click here to start watching this powerful 3-part message series!