Waiting is so difficult.

Waiting for desirable things to arrive can be frustrating. I have been fairly disappointed in the fall foliage colors this year. I have been lamenting the fact our summer drought was affecting the transition of the leaves. I wanted to enjoy the crimsons, golds, oranges, and all the various hues in between. I figured we missed it. I was wrong.

Last night on my way to an event east of home, I fought the low hanging sun setting behind me in the west. The sun was blinding as it targeted each of the mirrors on my vehicle. Then I saw it. The glorious crimsons, golds, oranges and all the various hues in between! Perfect!

In the current state of things, we wonder what the turbulent future will hold. People on competing plains are posturing and readying for the worst. There is an overwhelming sense that bad times are ahead. We long to see the beauty in our situation and may come to the conclusion that all is lost and we missed the beauty. We would be wrong. Those who trust in the Lord God Almighty should have a better grasp of peace and hope which comes from an unwavering belief. People I would consider to be strong in the Christian faith have asked me about things to come. They genuinely seemed unsettled that the end is near. Maybe it is; maybe it isn't. They appear to have lost hope in God's unfolding story.

Remember, we serve a living Sovereign God. The god of humanism and secularism can only carry us forward to a limited degree. We'll always be left with an undying hunger and thirst that needs satisfied. God directs us to trust and wait and these two things normally carry with them an unsettling tension. Waiting for God to do something leads us to overthink, overplan, and overreact. God's provision for us is always on time and never late, even when we are sure God has forgotten us.

If you are swirling in a cloud of confusion, fear, and indecision, take some time to speak to God about your fears. Listen intently for His Spirit to comfort, instruct, and calm your spirit. Wait for God to act in only ways that God can act. Our current chaotic situation has not take the Almighty by surprise. We can't image God wringing divine hands and saying, "Oh no, what will I do with the election in the United States?" or "What will happen when North Korea begins an offensive on their neighbors?"

Friends, trust. Friends, hope. Friends, live and thrive. And yes, friends, wait. Friends, read the following and meditate on it.

"The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of

whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my

foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war

break out against me, even then will I be confident. One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I

may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to

seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the

shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies

who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the

LORD. Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek

his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in

anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and

mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up

against me, breathing out violence. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the

land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27, NIV)

SHALOM