Abiding in the Waiting...
Updated: Jan 13, 2022
This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. (Habakkuk 2:3 NLT)
Has the Lord given you a vision? Were you so eager to do His work that you jumped in immediately and got going? Or maybe, you find yourself less zealous, second-guessing if the vision was really from Him? If you were able to gain clarity around the first round of questioning, then how about the second round of questioning if the vision is for now or for a future time? Or what is the platform to be, or the people group to be reached? So many questions with so few answers!
My friend, this is where faith comes in and a deeply rooted identity is found in Him. When we hear Him give us a vision, it is not a once-and-done type of thing. He does not lay out a vision for us and then turns around and walks away and says, “There, you have your assignment, good luck!”
No, our Lord equips us, prepares us, and leads us through to the fulfillment of the vision. Along the way though, our humanity comes in (and often does) and trips us up where we start asking questions like…” What if the results are not apparent?” “What if we find the task becomes too hard?” “What if (fill in the blank) …?”
But God has a question for us,” What if, child, you are not ready yet for the outcome that will be coming once the vision is fulfilled?”
Well, that question stopped me fast in my tracks! As I took this question and prayed for Him to help reveal the answer in my heart, the result was that I was seeking approval still from man way more than His approval of living out the Gospel. He then pressed me even further and asked me, “What if you never see any results of following My vision for you in your lifetime? Would you still be eager to do my Will?” Ouch!
Friend, I so wanted to say “sure, God I would still be 100% as eager to do your Will.” But I realized the state of my heart was that I was still hungry for man’s approval. I still hungered for someone to applaud me more than to see God receive the glory. When this sin was exposed in my heart, I wept.
God caught every tear of mine and showered me with an unforced rhythm of grace. Yes, He desires me to seek only His approval and to point people to Him and to bring Him glory, but He knows me and knows that I struggle with seeking man’s approval. And He accepts me and loves me just as I am.
So, have you received a vision from the Lord? If so, follow His lead in the fulfillment of the vision designed for you to complete. You can rest knowing He has prepared you for the task, He will equip you with what you need to fulfill the vision and will hold true to the timing in which the result will be delivered.
What He asks of us is to do the work set before us, wait patiently on Him, surrendering the outcome to Him.
Dear Lord, thank you for the reminder of when you give us a vision, you do not do so and walk away but lead us through to the fulfillment of the vision. Please forgive me for the state of my heart that still desires man’s approval. Purge that sin from my heart and replace it with a single-minded focus of bringing You glory. May I seek to fulfill the vision you have placed in my life, seeking only your approval and trusting in your timeline. I wait!