Lessons in Waiting!

If waiting on the Lord is suppose to renew our strength, then why is it wearing me out? I know the Word is true and that God's promises are sure so the problem must be with me. Maybe I'm not really waiting. Instead of resting, I am pushing. Instead of trusting, I'm doubting. The longer it takes for God to fulfill your dream or answer your prayer, the easier it gets to doubt. And its not that I doubt God but that I begin to question the dream or prayer. Abraham definitely dealt with this as 25 years passed and still no son. I'm sure Noah wondered if the ark was really how he should be spending his time. David probably laughed at being a king while sitting in a cave. I'm in good company! The time between my perceived call to Denver and the actual fulfillment has been longer than anticipated thus allowing room to question and doubt. So today I went back to the beginning when I first sensed the call and wrote down all the reasons why I felt God was calling me to Denver.

1. We were led to Denver through prayer. I laid out the US map and prayed that if He didn't want me to continue here that He would show me another place. Shortly after that Denver pooped up on the radar.
2. The Word confirmed the call. There were many reasons to stay in GA but the Word kept giving us permission to go. We only found encouragement through the Word.
3. It was accompanied by circumstances that seemed like signs pointing us to Denver. E-mails, bumper stickers, license plates, IHOP menu items, t-shirts, TV shows, songs, everything was talking about and showing us Denver.
4. People agreed with our call. Family and Friends encouraged us in this endeavor.
5. My wife was in agreement and also received signs and confirmation.
6. Bob and Monica Selby agreed to move with us to Denver and be our Worship Leaders. They were also involved in the praying and received confirmation.
7. On our visit to Denver, I heard God's voice say that I didn't need to "understand it or figure it all out but just surrender to it because this is where I want you."
8. I had a strong sense that God was done with me in our current area in GA. That He was calling us to another city, a different environment, a special community.
   
9. A sure sense that God still had a work for me to do. There is a fire in me to follow God and do His work. I cannot lay it down.
10. Definitely felt Spirit-led to Denver. I did not dream it up or necessarily desire it.
11. A strong desire to plant a church and do something new.

It is good and even necessary to remember the promise, to refresh the dream, to assure the call. It was real then and is real now. I remain open for God to change His direction at anytime but I expect to complete this task. I must rest in this call and stop pushing my agenda and time table. I must trust the God who loves me, the God who speaks and stop doubting the silence. I must wait and be renewed so I can soar on wings like eagles.