Wait Patiently

I’m still catching my breath after my trip to Oxford, UK in July. It was brief but the work the Lord did in me during those few days is something that is continuing and I believe will continue throughout my life.

Most of my music engagements over the past decade or so have been in the U.K./Europe. I’ve never visited any country in the U.K./Europe without music/ministry being the main purpose. To fly across the pond to meet up with a dear friend and go to a conference to fill up instead of pour out was a sweet blessing that I will never take for granted.

The conference @uk_moot was wonderful, the fellowship with my friend was even better, and a visit to @stampwellfarm just outside of Oxford was the icing on the cake.

So much of what has been running through my mind since arriving back in the U.S. feels too personal to share. Which is saying a lot because I usually have no problem sharing anything, no matter how personal, if I feel it may help or encourage someone else. But I wanted to write this post tonight to at least share this:

What makes your heart ache today may bring you joy tomorrow. The waiting, the longing, the perplexity, it all has purpose. Nothing you are experiencing will be wasted. God is doing a work in you and all around you. Remain steadfast in faithfulness to your calling, even if you feel like the dreams God spoke to your heart have become obsolete. When the darkness feels so strong that you feel like it may swallow you up consider this: the darkness you are experiencing may not be the abyss you think it is . . . it might actually be the shadow of the almighty.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

No child of God suffers alone. (George MacDonald taught me this and that truth has kept me steady through many difficult seasons.) No child of God will ever be surrendered to the pit. When we are faithless, he remains faithful, remember? Psalm 40 keeps coming to mind:

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

(Funny, a friend sent me that passage today.)

“Wait patiently for the Lord.”

“All of the promises of God are true in him.”

“The darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.”

Stay faithful.