“Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord.
Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope.
Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!”
[Psalm 27.14, The Passion Translation]
“I’m just not having any fun”, I said.
Paradoxically, our headlines last year told many stories of children reunited with family. The ‘numbers’ were good, too — the bank balance was ink-black following the receipt of a healthy grant. The team was growing in numbers. It all looked wonderfully exciting!
But it just wasn’t fun anymore.
Penny summed it up well when she asked herself one day, ‘Am I willing to die for this?’
The answer was a resounding NO!
That’s not to say that the work of Route 61 in Kenya is wrong or bad. In truth, it’s a beautiful out-working of our Father’s heart for family and unity. It’s a much-needed work as well.
We were overwhelmed by the day-to-day operations … managing the team … the finances … the fundraising … it all drew our eyes away from our life source, distracted by the things of earth.
The problem was that the life had gone out of it all, and we wanted it back. But how?
With God, it’s a waiting game …
In the book of Isaiah, God is described as being exceptional … because of the way he works on behalf of those who wait for him (see Chapter 64v4). I really like the sound of that! What about you?
So, the Bible is saying that, as I sit at his feet and wait upon him, he directs all of heaven to go to work for me … for you! It all sounds too good to be true.
But, as Team 61, we have chosen to take God at his word. Along with our commitment to fulfilling our ongoing responsibilities, we are resolute in our pursuit of God. Setting aside as much time as we can to wait on God.
It ain’t easy …
Waiting requires stopping.
Waiting requires disciplined determination.
Waiting requires patience, upon patience!
Waiting is hard.
Waiting is opposite to the fast-paced, striving and productivity-driven, ways of the world. Then there’s ‘that’ voice … you know, the one that constantly screams … “there must be something that I can do! Arrgh!”
But God says, “Wait, I’m building your inner capacity to trust me.”
Behind the scenes, God is at work deep within. It’s a work of inner transformation, not circumstantial. It’s not a rebooting – it’s a metamorphosis at the identity level … and God’s not in any hurry!
You see, Jesus, the incarnation of our passionate, loving Father, ‘… wants more than a close relationship with you and me; He seeks nothing less than union.’ (Brennan Manning, The Furious Longing of God)
Journal entry, Wednesday, December 4th 2019: “I don’t want camouflage, I desire union.”
Honestly, I’m fed up with trying to get my act together. As one of my favourite Bible teachers is on record as saying, ‘you may get our act together, but it’s still an act!’
Personally, I am longing for my authentic self to be revealed. As I wait upon God, allowing his presence to enter into the depths of my core, a wonder is happening. I am continually being transformed into his very own image (see, 2 Corinthians 3:18).
This devotional starts with Psalm 27:14. The ESV translates it like this … Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.”
That word wait, it sounds so passive, inactive and dormant, doesn’t it? But a little closer inspection uncovers a greater truth. In the Hebrew it also reveals an active form … ‘to tie together by twisting’ – thus The Passion Translation, ‘be entwined as one with the Lord.’
As we make the time to stop and wait upon God, a mystery is taking place … God is wrapping his heart into ours (see Psalm 25:5, TPT).
As we continue to wait upon God, our hearts are becoming one with him and his purposes (purposes that we’re willing to die for).
We’re finding our life source again.
And ‘Team Route 61’ continues to wait …
