The Waiting Room
“Crisis of Faith”
How many people like waiting? (Show of Hands)
When I say the words “Waiting Room”, what images come to mind?
If we were to poll everybody today, I’m sure we would all have a “waiting room” story to tell… Mine happened with:
- Overcrowded waiting room
- Waiting for over an hour and a half
- Watching others leave upset
- 2 minutes with the doctor!
Let’s be honest today, we hate to wait! To the point that quality of service is not as important as speed of service!
In hindsight, this story was probably not as dramatic as I tell it. I would go as far to say in the grand scope of my life it wasn’t really that big a deal at all. Yes it was an incredible inconvenience to my day, but in a week’s time I had already moved on to another incredible inconvenience in my life; another waiting room.
Today we’re starting a series called “The Waiting Room”: What does God reveal to us in the moments of waiting?
From time to time, we all find ourselves in a very different kind of waiting room. This holding pattern is unlike any other I will experience, because it is not necessarily physical and the wait time truly indefinite:
1. God’s Waiting Room
For some:
- It’s a season of transition
- It’s a life altering event or tragedy
- It’s a wake up call to life change
- It’s a season of rest
- It’s a time of refinement
No matter what brought you to this moment in God’s waiting room, one thing is certain in all situations: it is for a purpose!
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
The common misconception of this verse is that God is working for my benefit so life should be peaches! What this verse is really saying is God is using all things, whether we perceive it to be good or bad, for his ultimate glory.
All things. Wrap your mind around that thought for a second. This should give you hope!
It means that no matter:
- Where I think I should be
- Whatever job I think I should have
- Whatever relationship I think I should be in
- Whatever goal or mark I expect to hit in life
- Whatever way I have fallen short
- Whatever tragedy or injustice that has entered into my life
- Whatever material good I think I should possess but don’t
All of it—I have or have not because God is working through me for His good. All things.
God’s waiting room is tough place to be. It can be a lonely, confusing and an altogether heartbreaking space. But even in this, God is still GOD. He can see what I can’t, and has purpose in all He carries me through. God will use this for His good purpose.
Today we need a reset in thinking from the ground level up…
2. The Authority of Faith
From the outset I want to state the obvious that I believe most believers selectively forget: God’s Waiting Room is a necessity for spiritual growth! - We must go through it...
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
We need these downtimes in life in order to be made stronger. It is unavoidable! We are partakers in Life, and it is not always a pretty or easy thing is it?
So the trick is not to avoid do our best to avoid these moments of waiting in life, but to seek how God is using these things for good.
A little over two months ago there was a passage of scripture that gave me a literal gut check. In Matthew 8 we see a picture of Jesus the Action Hero: healing folks with leprosy, calming a raging storm in the middle of a lake, and casting out demons! But the story that stood out:
Matthew 8:5-10 (NIV)
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."
7 Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him."
8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
This response truly amazes Jesus. Finally, someone gets it! Jesus goes as far to say,
“I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” (vs. 10)
I’m sure Jesus’ disciples must have loved that proclamation. But truth be told, up to this point faith in Jesus was easy. Jesus was present, flesh and blood standing in their midst. How tough could it really have been to have faith in someone that was always around, and in that moment, a trendy celebrity and popular guy to follow!
In his statement of real faith, the Roman officer basically affirms his belief in Jesus’ authority over all things. In essence, my God is so big, and so powerful that I don’t even need to be in the same area code for Him to work miracles in my life. He simply has it all under control. All I need to do is call out to my God for help.
When we forget this, we have a...
A. Crisis of Faith
Jesus loves it. He uses this moment to remind those in attendance that this type of faith of “Jesus as Lord over all in life” is what is going to separate the true disciples from the rest in the end. Because of the officer’s faith in Jesus’ authority, the great healer merely speaks a word and the servant is healed.
I’ve read this passage several times before, but this time it became personal:
I can claim that God has authority over ALL things, but my actions can show something very different. I would call it my own personal “Crisis of Faith.”
This crisis comes when in a moment’s notice, I forget who has the authority!
- Earth shattering moments
- Unexpected/Unplanned Change
- Or maybe it’s when we think we control a situation
In my opinion, recognizing the true authority of God is one of the toughest aspects of Faith. I may profess Him as GOD over all things, but my actions may show that I have only given GOD partial authority.
My faith is a fraud.
3. Remember Your Action Hero!
One principle I learned from my parents at a very early age was God’s faithfulness. I could be so wrapped up in present troubles that I would quickly forget the many troubles that God had already carried me through!
If you look in Isaiah 40 we see an example of something similar. God’s people had gotten so wrapped up in their present troubles that hope had truly been lost. But then the prophet addresses them with a timely promise from God:
Isaiah 40:27-28 (NLT)
“O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.”
Look at the not-so-subtle reminder: “Folks, we’ve been through this before! It all turned out fine then, so why are we doubting now?”
The reason Israel lost hope was that it had placed all hope in what they could see.
God’s understanding is way beyond ours. God is everlasting, creator of the universe, and a never-ending source of power.
God is THE AUTHORITY. -- Let's examine steps to help us recognize this personally:
A. Let it Go…
After reading the passage in Matthew, I very clearly heard the Lord say, “Let it Go.” I knew immediately what that meant. I had to not only drop all the strategizing I was doing to “fix” my situation, but I also had to stop worrying about it as well. Part one of that plan was relatively easy. Part two, the worry part, is something I still wrestle with daily. But if I’m ever going to find peace in this period of waiting then I have got to let it go!
Psalm 55:22 (NASB)
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
The literal translation is to hurl, fling away--drop it like it's hot! Get rid of your burdens!
I believe God gives us responsibility in life, but there is only so much that we can do. Sometimes our Waiting Room is meant to teach us placement. What authority have we placed our faith in—God’s or Ours?
Let it go…
B. See the Blessings
Psalm 65:4-5 (NASB)
How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You to dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple. 5 By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea.
I can gain instant perspective on my current Waiting Room when I do one thing: Remember how God has already blessed me, and how God got me through my last Crisis of Faith.
Everyone has a testimony…
- Addictions
- Healing
- Re-purposing
- God's Faithfulness
- God's Blessings
C. Acknowledge God’s Authority
Our time in God’s Waiting Room is on purpose, but it won’t be to our benefit until we acknowledge who’s running things…
Psalm 62:1 (NIV)
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
SUBMIT:
“Even in This, You are still GOD.”
There’s something reenergizing about handing authority over to God. It’s odd to think that we will feel more and more empowered by letting go of more in our lives, but it’s true. Faith isn’t easy. Remember, God is using ALL things for our good and His glory. Even when it seems like nothing is being done at all.
- Prayer of Rededication…
“Heavenly Father, I confess to you now that I have fallen short. I admit that I am a flawed and in need of salvation. Lord I believe that you sent your son Jesus to die for me, and raised him to life so that I would be washed clean of my sin. Lord I give you my heart, mind and soul. Take my life and lead me. Reveal to me your purpose for me, and restore the hope that can only come from Your salvation.”
Now add this:
“Lord I relinquish all authority over to you. I want to know the peace that comes in surrendering to You. You know me intimately. You know what troubles I face. You are GOD, even in this. Give me the strength to wait on you, and the wisdom to know when to move when you lead. Amen!”
Go Further – Personal Study Questions
1. Have you given God absolute authority over all things, most things or just some things in your life? Be honest! If you answered anything other than "All things" what would you change? What areas could use more of God's Authority?
2. Write a list of the ways you have personally seen God at work in your life. Take time and think of them all! Then hang this list someplace you can easily see it when "life happens" and you need a reminder of God's faithfulness.
