Waiting For The Answer
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
I regularly gather with my ministry leadership team for prayer and planning. Today was one of those wonderful times. Many women are asking the looming question: “Is Touching Hearts ever going to meet together again?” I gulp hard wanting to know the answer, but there is no answer yet. At this time God remains silent. As He leads, we seek to obey each little step that He gives us.
When we walked out of the doors of our previous ministry space, we had no idea that we would never gather there again. Covid demanded closure of the doors, but God actually led us away from the space permanently. When the decision was initially made, we believed that God was leading us to a larger space with the capability of many different gatherings. We saw the ministry expanding and actually that is what has happened during the pandemic, but not in the way that we envisioned.
The closure was more than shut doors, but it shut down many precious relationships. I realize that when the women ask the question about beginning again, their hearts are missing what they once held dear. The bond of God’s love is thick and rich and nourishing.
Hours and hours of dreaming, planning and praying seem to have hit a barricade. There has been no way to move forward with the plans that we believed had been given by God. So what do we make of all of that?
In talking with many people, I can tell you that this is not unique to Touching Hearts but very common in many ministries, churches, businesses as well as personal lives. It feels like a curve ball was thrown and we are still in the tailspin of it all. The title of one of Lysa Terkeurst’s bestsellers is perfect for much of what we are feeling: It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way.
Says who?
He is God and we are not, and He is never taken by surprise. I repeat what I say often:
He knows something we don’t know, and we can trust His plan.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
I just felt that someone needed encouragement today that God has not forgotten you. He did not play a dirty, mean trick on you. His thoughts and plans are far higher than anything we can imagine. When He is ready to answer, He will.
We wait, we watch and we will see God’s way.
“Those who wait on the Lord, SHALL….. Renew strength, mount up, run, walk and not faint. I truly believe we will look back on 2020 and see how much God used this crazy year.
So as we all continue to wait for Him to unfold each day according to HIs plan, let’s persevere. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Let’s not give in to hopelessness. Let’s live with expectancy that our King is still on the throne and He is at work. He may be silent in answering your questions. He may feel hidden and unaware, but be assured He is very present. Keep asking and keep seeking and keep knocking. It will be so worth it.
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