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The (uncomfortable) secret to waiting well.

"Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done..." - C.S. Lewis.


It's a cynical farce, really: the daily struggle to trust and rest in the faithfulness of a steadfast God.  For a humanity that is so good at loving ourselves, our longing to be fully known, to be fully loved, and to be fully blessed is our greatest Achilles heel.


It is our bluff and God called it. 


He knew we were in need of constant gardening. And He sent his Spirit to accomplish just that.  


So often we attempt to exercise sovereignty over the Spirit -- letting him ride the bench until we're in a jam. As if He were some sort of "energy" to draw from when we need a pick-me-up.  After all, isn't a gardener's job to water and nurture the fields? To pluck weeds from getting in our way? To give us that boost to the finish line?


Yes; but that's only one facet.



My grandfather was a master gardener.  Near and far he was known for his fresh produce; making spontaneous "deliveries" to the bank, the doctor's office, the local feed and farm supply store.  His vegetables were picture perfect -- like, the kind of model produce used for the photos on seed packets.


But while everyone oo-ed and ah-ed over their beauty and flavor, they missed the secret: the pruning and thinning that was done weeks before. 


"God has to hurt the thing that must go." - Oswald Chambers.


We want the results of a Spirit-filled walk without the growing pains and excruciating silence of waiting.  There are things in my life I pray and pray and pray (and pray and pray) for.


They say patience is a virtue.  If so, I can be quite virtue-less.


The work of the Spirit is real and painful.  The love of the Spirit in that process is real and deep.  The breakthrough by the Spirit is real and absolutely mind-bending.


Paul warns us not to quench the Spirit.  Don't extinguish the flame.  (1 Thessalonians 5:19)


The flame is a refining fire.  Pruning shears. You cannot have glistening gold without a refining fire.  You cannot have bountiful fruit without substantial pruning and pulling back and cutting away.


The silence of waiting is deafening.  But the Lord is faithful.


Keep leaning in.  Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus's face.



I've tasted Your goodness.  I'll trust in Your promise. God of Heaven, teach me to wait well.


Great is Thy Faithfulness

Oh God, my Father

There is no Shadow of Turning

With Thee, Thou changest not

Thy Compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been

You Forever, ever will be


Great is thy Faithfulness

Great is thy Faithfulness

Morning by morning,

New Mercies I See

All I have needed

Your Hands always Provided

Great is Thy Faithfulness,

Lord, unto me






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