What's the Point?

I was running this morning in the cooler mild weather the shore has been experiencing since yesterday. The sky was the clearest blue. Crayola doesn't even MAKE this shade of blue. It was gorgeous! The temp could not have been more perfect for running, especially compared to all the humid sticky mornings I've run in this summer. I thought how different today was compared to yesterday. While the temperature was about the same for both days, yesterday, it was very cloudy, dreary, and sprinkling as I ran. Not pouring, but enough that it made it hard to see as I ran and the drops sprinkled on my glasses. God showed me yet another important part about waiting.

Those dark days have a purpose of preparation. A rainy day prepares us for a beautiful sunny day. The rain nourishes the ground and the air around us. While dark cloudy days may seem to be "downers," they cause us to stop and reflect more. They keep us indoors.....they keep us still....a very important place to be. It's through the stillness that we seek God, and when we seek Him, we find Him. Every time. It's those rainy days that I have sought God and found Him and was strengthened because of it. Why? Because I was being nourished.

I also thought how yesterday prepared me for today in that I appreciated it so much more. As I ran, I was praising God for such a beautiful day because just yesterday it was not. My environment was drastically different, although my God was not. I was so much more thankful for today....because of yesterday.

So, what's the point? Well, the point is that whatever it is you are waiting through, God is working. You may not be able to see for the rain pelting your face. You may not be able to understand because of the dark clouds. You may not be able to get out and do all the things you want to do because of the weather conditions. Yet, God is not confined by that. He is at work, preparing you and so many more in the midst of your situation so that something glorious is the result. The verse I've shared often this summer-because God's continually reminded me of it- is Isaiah 40:31 ("..but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.") As I was running this morning, I was taken to the lyrics of this song that go along with that truth.

I'm waiting I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am hopeful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it is painful

But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You

While I'm waiting I will worship

While I'm waiting I will not faint

I'll be running the race Even while I wait

I'm waiting I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am peaceful

I'm waiting on You, Lord Though it's not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve you while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Our waits come in many different scenarios. Whether you are waiting to say that word you want to speak, to act on a situation you think you must, for God to heal your loved one, for that long standing prayer request to finally be answered, to be validated in what you know to be true, to be cleared of false accusation or someone's gossip, for forgiveness you can't seem to accept, for the ability to forgive someone else, for your marriage to be restored, for that prodigal child to return home, for the job to come, the bills to be paid, ..... Whatever the wait, He is working and preparing something glorious. I'm not sure that we will see all of it this side of heaven, but I do know that we will see glimpses through the clouds and rain. One day, we will see it all...and it will be PERFECT. Glory!

"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!" (1 Cor. 13:12 The Message)

Allow yourself to be strengthened in the wait. Beauty can be found in the run, whatever the weather. Keep running!