The Waiting Game

Life is all about waiting. We begin that “waiting game” within the womb – waiting to make the first appearance into this world. From then on, it’s as if we are always pushing forward – waiting for the next big life experience. To walk, to talk, to go to kindergarten, to go on a first date, get a first kiss and graduate high school; life is always rushing forward. The list goes on throughout our lives: we are always pulling at the harness to go faster and sooner.

Human nature doesn’t like to wait. However, to wait is necessary in every arena of life. All of those “hurry up” things, that we feel are just not happening fast enough, are only good when received at the God ordained time.

If a cocoon is opened early or a bird egg is helped to hatch – the butterfly and the bird will die. The same is true of the plans God has for us. Often, we jump in, run ahead and find ourselves crying out for Him to fix the mess we made by our impatience. The true answer is to wait!

Waiting is not the same as inactivity!

Seeds that are planted wait as the germination process takes place, each having a time table that is appropriate to its ultimate production – only producing what it was created to. But that germination process is not inactivity.

Though nine months is required for a baby to develop, every second of that time-frame it’s cells are actively working, creating a miracle of life while we wait.

Jesus waited, listened and moved only where and when He was directed by the Father. Learning this discipline requires just that – discipline. When our tendency is to move forward, to do something just because we always have or others expect it, often we are stepping out from God’s planned purpose for us.

If you feel rushed to make a decision or pressured to move forward (from any outside expectation) – slow down, stop and wait. If your next step doesn’t find you at a place of confident inner peace, be aware – this could be that God hasn’t directed you yet. Only when He has spoken will you find anxiety lift and peace flood in. I am not saying that it won’t be difficult, stretching or that you will have all the answers; that’s not how He operates. Just as a baby doesn’t jump up and walk or talk in full sentences at birth, we must grow into who He has created us to be.

Waiting is the key! Learning to wait and listening for the Spirits stirring and direction will bring you to a life where you will see the Father working and your next step will be to go there. Until that direction is heard be committed to the last thing you heard Him say!

Join me in the “waiting game” as we wait in His presence – listening and moving only as He speaks.

John 5:19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. (ESV)

Ecc. 3:1 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven (NASB)

The Sounds of Summer

     Our senses play a large part in how we experience things in our lives. Summer explodes with sounds that create lasting life memories. Summer erupts on the scene with the sound of chirping birds, buzzing bees, scurrying rabbits and squirrels. With it begins to stir anticipation of new life as summer unfolds.

     As we listen we hear the contagious joyful laughter of children, the clicking metallic sound of a sprinkler that delivers life-giving water to foliage, as well as the gurgle of streams and the crash of waves.

     These sounds are only enjoyed if we listen and respond. If the busy activity of life overtakes our thoughts we can miss the enjoyment provided by these gifts of summer.

     Sound can come in thunderous explosions or in the slightest whisper. One is heard and felt – easily not missed. The other – is missed by most.

     Tuning your spiritual ears to hear the very whisper of the Holy Spirit requires a deep place of contentment to rise from within. This contentment comes as you willingly choose to listen.

     As you surrender your busyness in exchange for His plans you will step into a life that He directs. When you consistently spend time in His presence with a cry of “less of me and more of you” the listening process unfolds. These decisions will allow you to begin a journey of His direction – one that will contentedly produce a courageous life full of faith.

     Listening and responding in your spiritual life is often missed or lost because of distractions. Taking time to stop and listen to what the Holy Spirit speaks to you through the direction of Christ – requires time where you choose to stop and sit at the feet of Jesus.

     Choose today the ONE THING that is important – to sit at the feet of your Lord. Then you will truly enjoy the gift of sound – hearing Him call your name!

Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I Have called you by name, you are mine. (ESV)

 

 

(Revised from Summers Stirring of Our Senses – The Gift of Sound  Summer’s Delight Majestic Reflection Devotional Series-Book 3 J.K.Sanchez 2015)

Face to Face – Heart to Heart

I go to sleep and wake up to a handsome face that has been next to me for over 40 years. I know his eyes, his mouth, his smile, his hands, his voice and even his growing wrinkles; the interesting part is that this man looks the same to me now as he did in his 20’s. I know him face to face; heart to heart, for we have become one.

Jesus knows us the same and he calls us to that type of relationship and communication. He knows every hair, every wrinkle, even every thought – he knows us intimately and asks us -desires for us – to come close and know him face to face, heart to heart.

Intimacy comes from knowing, and knowing takes time; time at His feet, time in quiet stillness, in a face to face; heart to heart connection and we call this prayer. No hurried “hello, have a great day” quick kiss on your way out the door will work.  No relationship is built on fast pace connection, it is all about spending time.

“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

This type of face to face, heart to heart adoration changes you at your very core. All the worries of the day, fears of the night – life’s craziness, falls away and peace rushes in.

As my husband’s presence brings me overwhelming love and joy just because he is who he is; so does a face to face, heart to heart walk with Jesus bring an abundant life filled with joy – deep down joy.

What does it take? How do you get there?

Desire it! Ask for it!

Take TIME! SLOW down!

Wait silently! Sit and LISTEN!

And extravagantly ENJOY it!

The best part of your day will be waking up to HIM; for you will walk face to face, heart to heart, with your savior.

Artwork courtesy of: Dennis L. Sanchez

“You Better Soak That”

Today words that I have spoken probably a hundred times in my lifetime – “You better soak that” – jumped out at me as a source of pondering.

To soak something means that it becomes saturated for a purpose. We soak a grim covered pan, a stained piece of cloth, and even a dried up pot of soil. The purpose is to change it – remove the grim, the stain or, in the case of soil to till it – prepare it for something new to take root.

In the Christian church culture the word “soak” has run its course of the “in thing” – but in reality it is where we are changed. As we wait at the feet of Jesus, as we are still in his presence, as we listen in our prayer closets – we are “soaking” in the very present environment of a life giving, life changing, life speaking Holy Spirit that loves to speak. In this place we receive the peace that passes all understanding.

Our busy lives find it difficult to slow down and take that time to be still but if we don’t, we live in a constant spin of chaos. Peace comes from that quiet place of trusting our Jesus.   It is during these times that we allow our grim and stains to be removed and our dried up soil to be saturated and tilled; then we are ready to receive something new that will take root and bloom in our lives.

Take time to “soak” – sit, be still, listen and receive – you will be amazed how his presence will refresh you, give you strength for the day ahead, and transform all areas of your life.

Ps. 46:10a “ Be still, and know that I am God.” (ESV)

Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (ESV)

An Eagle’s Life Lesson

     The majestic eagle depends on his physical design; strength, speed and and sharp vision, for his survival.  Just as the eagle does, so do we often depend on the “I” of our own abilities.    

     There comes a time to the eagle where a molting process must be faced. This process brings this majestic strong bird to a weakened position. His feathers, strength, vision and ability to fly or hunt are eliminated during this time of preparation for renewal.

     We too, come to this place; where all of what “I” can do and what “I” have done are no longer of value. We then face a choice, a choice of the heart. A choice that requires a willingness to give up all of what “I” can do and trust in what “He” did for us at the cross.

     The eagles too must make a similar choice. Many roll over and die choosing the memory of the “I” of their former majesty. Those who are renewed are those who turn to the sun, rest and wait. They then are restored not to the former majesty but to a stronger and greater one.

     We too can only reach new heights with renewed vision and strength when our eyes are on the “Son” not the “I”. Only then can His plans, purposes and design for our life be renewed.

     Trust that His plans for you are far greater then your “I” plans. So chose today to learn from the renewed eagle. Join me and look to the Son – Rest and Wait! This hard time of “molting” will bring forth the fruit that changes lives; you will come out better then you ever were before.

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Isaiah 40:31 but they 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. (ESV)

Revised excerpt from Winters Rest – J.K. Sanchez “The Choice – To Mount Up With Wings Like Eagles” 2014

A Place of Pause

Some mornings are just made for sleeping in.  Some are made to jump up and get going for they are pre-planned and full of expectation. Then there are mornings where you get that early morning wake-up call in your spirit.

This morning was one of those – but to wake up and wait?

As we learn to hear and move as the Spirit leads there often comes a place of pause. This place requires discipline and peace to wait and rest in the midst of great anticipation. This place of pause is much harder then to be called to “move out” because our tendency is to take it into our own hands and just get it done – but that’s not how it works in the Kingdom of Heaven.

To run ahead or lag behind is loss – but to wait and only move in synchronized perfect timing with the Spirits call is of great gain however, it comes with a great cost. That cost is to wait –prayerfully wait in readiness with lamps full of oil and ready for His call to move is much harder then it sounds.

Perfect timing, moving on time and waiting are all throughout the Bible. The children of Israel only moved when the cloud by day or pillar by night moved, the 10 virgins had lamps full of oil and waited for the bridegroom, Jesus went where and when the Father directed bringing life exactly where the Father was moving and the apostles directed by the Spirit carried the gospel to all parts of the world. But what does that look like to us? Exactly the same – simply wait, wait, wait – not anxiously but walking in peace and rest, totally at a readiness of spirit.

So, my call this morning was one of waiting, listening and being ready for the call and direction of my bridegroom – with lamps filled with oil I wait in His presence for His stirring and movement before me when my heart that is ready to  receive and quickly move will sing YES, LORD.