Top 10 Things I Learned when God told me to WAIT

In April of 2005, all of my plans for MY life, came to a screeching halt. I had been serving in Russia with Campus Crusade for Christ for 2 years on a short-term missions team, and had applied to return to Russia long-term. I knew exactly what my life was supposed to be like. I would return to Russia, continue the ministry there, and life would go on EXACTLY as I had always dreamed and always planned. Little did I know, that MY plan, was certainly not HIS plan. On that day in April, as the long term coordinator told me I needed to be in America for 2 years or more to grow in ministry skills and grow in some other areas of my life, I was absolutely shocked. I couldn't believe what was happening. This wasn't what was SUPPOSED to happen! Remember God, I already have this all figured out! In the time that followed, I experienced a whole host of emotions: anger, resentment, selfishness, resolve, and eventually...acceptance, peace, and then amazingly...JOY. I'd like to share with you the top 10 things I learned when GOD told me to WAIT:

1. Waiting can be a time to heal & to rest.
My 2 years in Russia were REALLY hard. And, I didn't even realize that at the time. The Lord wanted me to rest my weary soul in Him, not jump back into a high-stress situation. I remember so many times in the months after coming home, being thankful that I could just rest in a familiar place, live a normal life. I hadn't realized that I had almost reached burn-out. It was not God's heart for me to burn out and struggle to regain the abundant life that He promises.

2. Waiting is an opportunity for growth.
I was told that 2 years or more in America before returning overseas would be an opportunity to grow in some areas of my life. I really didn't get that at the time. I have an opportunity for growth no matter where I am, right? But, yet again, the Lord was right about this one. The things that I learned in the past couple of years, I could only have learned in the context of relationships, community, and ministry that I have been in in Austin - emotional growth & healing, depth of relationships, my greatest contributions to life and to others...

3. God is NOT holding out on you.
Where in the world did we ever get the idea that WE know best, and God's just the big man in the sky who is keeping the chocolate chip cookies for himself while we chew on celery? It's just not true! God is not holding out on us, and He desire the greatest good for our lives, as we submit to him. In April of 05 I looked down and was bitter about the celery in my hand, only to look down 2 years later, and realize I had had a chocolate chip cookie all along. :-)

4. To know oneself better.
Like I mentioned in #2, I learned a ton about my gifts, abilities, and passions in the past 2 years. We grow and learn about this all our lives. But, the best possible place for me to gain some understanding and perspective on God's specific call on my life was...in the waiting. I learned about my spiritual gift of helps - coming alongside others to empower them to do what it is God has called them to do. I learned that being administratively gifted doesn't mean you have to work in an office. I also learned that serving others is sometimes the most effective use of one's time and resources in order to make the Gospel message spread! I understand my heart better, my longings better, my family and friends better...and, myself better.

5. Because He is testing our faithfulness.
Will we follow Him when it's hard? Will we obey when its the last thing we really want to do? Believe me, the 6 year old temper tantrum part of myself wanted to haul off and make a fit and tell my leaders - I won't do what it is you think....I know what's best for me....YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!!!! Now, that wouldn't have been godly, and it would have shown a clear lack in trust in the Father. The Lord wants us to be faithful to the very end, even when it doesn't seem to make sense.

6. To give us good things!
I made some of the closest friends in the World while I lived in Austin...I have a new & different kind of relating with my Dad that I'm so thankful for, I've learned a deeper essence of what the Gospel really is. I have experienced immense joy!

7. To know God and His heart for us differently that we did before.
I see the Lord very differently now. His heart for me is huge. He desires my greatest good. He is sovereign in ALL things. His plan is SO much larger than we can see. And He truly has no limit of love and grace and compassion for His people. I understand my Jesus on a completely different level than I did. I am desiring for that to grow more and more!

8. To learn patience.
Um, yeah, I can be the most impatient person in the world! And when we are asked to wait, we have to be patient for whatever is coming up next. I felt impatient at times while I was trying to be patient...and eventually I rested in patience, expectant, but not demanding of the next leading God would send my way.

9. It is God's perfect provision for you.
No matter what it is that we're waiting for....the time in our lives, right now, where we are...it's God's perfect provision for us. We cannot deny his sovereignty in our lives as we trust in and submit to him. He makes all things new each morning. I can't wait to see what He has for me today - what His perfect provision in my life is!

10. To love Him better, and more that we did at the first.
Sometimes we get solid answers about our waiting period, and sometimes we don't. I'm sure there are 10 or 20 other reasons that I needed to wait that God could list here for me, that I don't even know about. But because of the waiting - I love Him better. I love Him for the 2 years I spent waiting to return to Russia. I love what He taught me. I love what He did in my life. I love the God I came to know in a much deeper way, and I'm so thankful.

So -the next time YOU are asked to wait - whether its to go to Russia, or have a baby, or even just waiting in line at the grocery store....try to remember....it's God's perfect provision for you right now....and much will come of it that you do not even know.

Be blessed dear ones!
Kim