The Waiting Room
“Thriving in IT”
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.
Our Series is ending, you can have your life back…
Review From Last Week:
- Strategically Placed
- Make the Most…
- No Regrets
- Don’t allow future plans to block out current calling
I wanted to briefly review our last message, because I believe today could be seen as a companion piece to it.
When we serve God in any capacity of ministry there is ultimately going to come moments of disappointment. For me, I like to ambiguously label this as my “IT”.
“IT” can be any number of expectations I place on my service:
- numbers
- response
- growth
- acclaim
But what I so often forget is that the “IT” is not only out of my control, but IT is not my responsibility!
God grants us the vision, but the success of failure of IT is solely up to the one who gave the vision.
And as you might already know, there is no real time-table on success.
When James Garfield (later President of the U.S.) was principal of Hiram College in Ohio, a father asked him if the course of study could be simplified so that his son might be able to go through by a shorter route. "Certainly," Garfield replied. "But it all depends on what you want to make of your boy. When God wants to make an oak tree, He takes a hundred years. When He wants to make a squash he requires only two months."
Angus J. MacQueen. (sermonilustrations.com)
In regards to our Active Waiting Room, are we looking to create oaks or squashes?
(Active because we always have something!)
So I have a choice, I can allow IT to hold me hostage, or I can thrive in IT.
1. Held Hostage by IT
Whenever we put our energy to what we feel God is calling us to, it is very easy to get caught up in the toil of it, especially when we don’t see what we deem as success.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Nothing we do for the Lord is ever useless!
Disclaimer: God will never ask you to violate His commands
(i.e. have an affair, go rob a bank to give the church money...)
Results of the Hostage Situation:
A. Miss out on current blessings…
Ill: Laughlin Anniversary Story – I almost missed out!
We can get so caught up chasing IT, that we completely overlook the ways that God blesses us every day!
Think about it, how has God blessed you?
B. Never feel settled…
When we overlook the blessings, we start to feel abandoned or forgotten by God. At this point we feel restless, or uneasy about what we’re doing.
I do believe that God uses these moments to move us from time to time, but it’s also important to look at your track record:
- Do you find yourself unsatisfied constantly?
- Do you fight to make things work or do you flight
- Are you easily bored?
Deuteronomy 28:47-48 (NLT)
If you do not serve the Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, 48 you will serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you.
The Work of the Lord is not easy! Sometimes we just have to dig in!
Serving as a Pastor is not always a blessing…
C. Loss of Motivation…
We render ourselves useless.
I will never fully realize all God wants to do through me if I am constantly chasing IT.
2. Thriving in IT
We need to be strong, steady and enthusiastic about the work God has set before me; keeping my focus on the “WHY” of the work.
I believe when we serve with our eyes and ears fixed on our Lord, he will give us the discernment necessary to determine if our season in the ministry is complete, or if we need to keep going in way that we are thriving in IT!
Romans 5:1-2, 5 (NLT)
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
So not only can we take hope in knowing that God has strategically placed us where we find ourselves today, but we have a hope that when it’s all said and done God still loves us and has saved us!
If we want to THRIVE in IT, we need to constantly remember our motivation! --> "Why" are we serving?
A. Redefine Success
Ill: Getting Into the Game Story
I finally made varsity, for 1 minute and 43 seconds, and was dropped back down to JV. But went on to become offensive player of the year
I am not saying we should "settle" because we fall short. I'm saying, be ready to adapt when God moves in a different direction!
Have you ever prayed:
God if you do _______, I’ll do more (or start) __________.
How about saying:
When I get ________, then I’ll do _________!
How many times have we tried to negotiate with God? God just wants us to move!
God wants to use us in spite of us!
In spite of our:
- Past
- Failures
- Lack of Skills/Experience
- Situation/Circumstance
Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Where are your roots? How are you going to overflow with thankfulness?
DON’T EVER GIVE UP. The Work of the Lord is not easy! Sometimes we just have to dig in!
B. Return to the Basics
John Wooden, the eminently successful basketball coach at UCLA during its dynasty years, was asked his secret in producing stellar teams. His answer: "We master the basics. We drill over and over again on the fundamentals."
Moody Monthly, September, 1989, p. 4. (sermonillustrations.com)
Be ROOTED, BUILT UPON, STRENGTHENED BY, and OVERFLOWING JESUS CHRIST
God’s Promises to You no matter where you are today:
1. You are Loved!
Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT)
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
This passage tells us that we may never understand how much God loves us, but he’s done His best to help us understand how far God is willing to go to show His Unfailing Love for us.
1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)
God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
2. You are Blessed!
Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
We may occasionally lose focus, but when we are “rooted” in God’s Stream of Life, we are steadfast. We have what we need to endure life’s struggles. We have faith that God will provide for our every need. – Not want!
What are the blessings in your life? Grace, Family, Fellowship…
3. You have Purpose!
Acts 17:26-28 (NIV)
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
You are placed on purpose, with purpose!
4. You have Hope!
Remember that our Hope in God does not disappoint. Press into your relationship with God and He will guide you!
Proverbs 3:5,6 (NLT)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
These verses remind us to be ROOTED first, then we will see our direction!
There is purpose in ALL THINGS. Moving or Standing Still, God is using ALL Things for good.
-Prayer
GO Deeper! Personal Study Questions
1. Read 1 Corinthians 15:58. Now write this verse out as a reminder of God’s hope today.
2. Finish each of these sentences as they pertain to the way God sees you individually. List them all—Big and Small!
I have hope because…
I am loved because…
I have been blessed because…
I have a purpose to…
