Have you ever thought, how long must I wait? Have you asked, when will this situation change?

I am in a season of developing more patience right now. I am learning more about trusting and relying on God. Not the kind of patience where you can see the item cooking in the microwave oven, you can see the timer and you can smell the unmistakable, room-filling aroma of fresh, popped corn. Nor do I mean that feeling of going on a vacation to a far away place and then anticipating the exact time when you will arrive.

I am speaking of being in a place of longing for water as you cross through the desert. Perhaps you have been without water before but not on the same patch of land. The times before it seemed the route was more traveled, there was more activity, more options. Maybe you have been able to almost taste the water only to find that you had to go further to get a satisfying drink that would fully quench your thirst. You may have looked for all of the resources you thought would yield the vital sought after moisture, yet to no avail.

I am developing patience right now. Yet is it patience or faith? On second thought it is faith I am developing now, a new level of trusting in God. I am walking in an area where I literally cannot see. I am standing on the precipice of a very high mountain. When I look ahead with my natural eye I am unable to see anything beneath my extended foot, there is tremendous uncertainty. Nevertheless I know what God has promised me. I have sat in His presence and shared my heart with Him. He has shared His heart with me. I know that He has “got this”; I know He already sees the outcome.

Unlike my earthly father, my Heavenly Father has always protected me, nurtured me, disciplined me and has always been there for me. He has always lovingly accepted me as His beloved daughter. He has only tested me when He knew I had been given the answers to pass the test. He has never allowed me to be alone. He has never expected me to be someone else. He has never required more of me than I have to give. He has never threatened to end my life or put me in danger, indeed He has always given me an escape. He does not speak to me with sarcasm or demeaning language. He does not berate me.

He has beckoned me to come closer to Him. He has offered me living waters. He has loved me when I did not understand that I was worthy of love. He has kissed my scrapped knees and helped me back to my feet. He has forgiven me of all of my sins and continually encourages me with His love. He talks with me, He comforts me. He has blessed and equipped me to share His love with myself and others.  He has shared with me that no matter what situation I am in I still have the capacity to love my neighbor as myself.

He has taught me that all of the law is fulfilled when I love my neighbor as myself. (See Galatians 5:14) He has led me to see the freedom of living life by loving my neighbor as I love myself. In Galatians 5:22-23 the Message Version clearly states, “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” The King James Version reads, “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.”

As I continue to seek God in this time of development  I am drawn to His promise in Hebrews 11:6, this the chapter known as “the faith chapter” it reminds me, “But without faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (King James Version.)

If you too are in such a time of development, join me and review Hebrews chapter eleven. Reminisce about all of those in the Bible that exercised their faith muscle and how they were rewarded! Then look back at your life, review those times when you were thirsty and He gave. There were even times when we did not even know enough to recognize that we were thirsty, and He gave! His plan has always included a plan for meeting our needs before we could voice the need. As I go through this next phase of development of my faith, I am certain our Father has already given me my canteen for filling and the firm ground to stand on as I place my foot on His path.

Let us stand together, seeking Him diligently, loving our neighbor as ourselves, putting our faith to work and resting in the truth of His promises. Unlike our earthly fathers He keeps His promises.

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”