The Waiting Room
“Find Rest”
Last week we began a series titled the Waiting Room with the purpose of discovering what God reveals to us in these moments of waiting.
I want to thank all of you who told me my waiting room story was nothing…
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.
Last week we acknowledged the Ultimate and Absolute power of our Lord Jesus Christ. We took time to recognize that when it comes to life, whether we recognize it or not, God is the Authority.
This week we want to take this frame of thinking one step further in terms of “Resting in that Authority”.
Awhile back I was watching a special on the Discovery Channel that was basically highlighting a Top 10 list of ways the earth was going to end:
major earthquake, giant meteor, ridiculously sized volcano, an ice age, global plagues, nuclear war, or a legion of housecats that rise up in rebellion against the human race.
Ok, I made that last one up, but I could probably make a compelling case for its possibility.
Regardless of how the earth would meet its demise, every segment ended with some expert in that disaster field saying,
“We’re just about due for this (fill in the blank) to hit.”
As I watched each segment, I felt like these scientists were beginning to pull for their disaster to be the endgame. It was almost like a race!
“Good news everybody! Don’t worry about volcano, because we’re due for a meteor to nail us first!”
Interesting enough, life seems to be like that. Things can be going well and according to our plans, but we feel like we have to constantly be on the lookout for something bad happening.
Can I just rip the Band-Aid off now and say this? Stop trying to avoid the disasters of life, because they’re going to happen. You’re due.
Maybe you've already been there, but you are going there again. So what are we going to do?
1. Be Prepared!
We stated a fact last week that is worth repeating again: Time in the Waiting Room is necessary for our spiritual growth! The bible never tells to avoid times of crisis, tragedy or unexpected change. It says just the opposite:
Romans 5:3-4 (NLT)
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
Bad things are going to happen. And this “JOY” that we’re supposed to find in these moments are really attainable. But it’s going to boil down to your preparation.
Ill: Mom's Thanksgiving Emergency Plan – “Come to the Cabin…”
Most of us wait until the “Bomb” goes off in our lives before we turn to God. Then we wonder why God seems so silent or unavailable when everything goes down. But let’s be honest:
It’s harder to press into our relationship with God when things are good.
Why? Because we’ve got nothing to worry about! I have it under control! If there was ever a definition of a false sense of security, here it is!
Being prepared means investing and seeking God in all seasons, especially when things are good!
This is such a contradiction to common thinking, because we would rather have the benefits of a relationship with God without the work of truly investing in one with God.
Proverbs 1:7 (NLT)
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Hebrew: da`ath (dah-ath): discernment, understanding, wisdom
When we are investing daily in our walk with God through worship, devotion and study of God’s Word, and continuous prayer (real dialogue) not only are we acknowledging our reverence (Fear) for His Authority, we are gaining wisdom and understanding.
This understanding is not the answers to the “why” question. It is the beginning of the answers to the “What” questions. It may just be the assurance in those times of disaster that God is still in Authority.
If we are prepared in our walk with Christ our reaction to crisis should be not of fleeing or running to fix it ourselves, but to be…
2. Still, Quiet and Humbled
I believe that it’s in these times the freedom to Rest in God’s Authority is at it’s sweetest.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT)
That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
We’ve been promised an unending source of power for anything life can throw at us, but we’ve got to surrender our own first.
Psalm 131 (NIV)
My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.
There are times when I am holding my daughter Addi and she is just screaming at me because she’s tired. She’s been fed, changed, maybe even given gas drops, but the only reason she is upset is because she’s tired.
I’ll look at her when I’m bouncing her or rocking her and think, “Relax. I’m right here holding you.” Eventually she does and passes out—Hallelujah!
How often does God look at us, screaming our heads off in despair and says, “I’m holding you! Relax, I won’t let you fall. Be still and quiet. Rest in the knowledge that I am God.”
Psalm 23:1-2 (NASB)
1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
Why would Jesus our shepherd cause us to lie down? So we can rest, and allow Him to take over.
It’s almost like God’s submission hold. In tough spots God wants us to be still, and acknowledge His authority.
When we rest in God we:
- Refocus our energy towards God
- Build Endurance for future hardships
- Allow Healing to begin
3. Dare to Hope!
Have you ever been around someone who has just gone through what you would perceive to be a “worse case scenario”, yet they seem to have peace? Freaks, right?!
These folks inspire me, because they have a peace that is rooted in resting in love for them:
Romans 8:35-37 (NIV)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
This verse reminds us that no matter what we face, God still loves us. Whenever I feel like God has forsaken me, or He’s not there this verse reminds me who has really walked away:
- Worry (remember "I do not concern myself...")
- Doubt
- Inability to Submit
All these put up a barrier between my GOD and me. “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Remember how you prepared with your relationship with God: Keep going.
Talk to God, tell Him how you’re feeling! (any emotion)
But when you’re done, stop and wait to hear God’s voice
- Through His Word
- Through Others
- In the intimate moments
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.
We may feel like we're waiting, but God IS Doing Something! Maybe Things are tough in:
- Marriage
- Family
- With Your Finances
- in the Workplace
- Within Relationships
- Your Ministry
Regardless, in all these things and situations: GOD IS DOING SOMETHING. Remember that there is purpose in your Waiting Room. God is intimately and actively involved in your life.
Find Rest and allow God to Work…
-Prayer
GO FURTHER! -- Personal Study Questions
1. Dare to Hope! Read Lamentations 3:21-26. What does this passage speak to you about hope?
2. When the world seems to shake around you, where do you run? When the world stands still, where do you turn? What are some things you can do personally to “Rest in God’s Authority” during both of these times in life?
Take time to truly evaluate the areas you need to be “still, quiet and humble” before God.
