Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14)
Have you ever been on a plane that’s in a “holding pattern” while waiting to land? It can be challenging as the plane circles around and around waiting for clearance to land. I’ve actually been on a flight that circled over an airport in a holding pattern for more than 30 minutes. It was frustrating and a little jarring, and the only thing that offset these feelings and gave me some assurance was the communication that came from the captain over the intercom.
I remember the captain telling us that there was major congestion with planes on the ground waiting to be cleared to fly, and other flights in the air that were needing to land as well. This was all due to stormy weather that just passed before our arrival in the area. Knowing this was fine and well, but the problem was the waiting. And waiting. And waiting. And circling, and circling. I wasn’t afraid for our safety, but I did feel agitated and impatient.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines holding pattern as “a state of waiting or suspended activity or progress.” Do ever feel “stuck” or “put on pause?” You may want to move forward in your life, but there are circumstances that keep stalling. It’s hard to be in a holding pattern, and it’s one of the real challenges of the Christian life, but during such times we’re encouraged to “wait on God” for His future direction and plans to take shape in our lives.
At such times, we need to ask God for grace to learn how to “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him.” (Ps 37:7). Waiting on God in this manner is never passive, but while “waiting on God,” we can be doing things to embrace the future. Of course, the greatest of these is prayer, but there are other things that prayer will stimulate. Remember this … “Vision sees the future” and takes action.
When we pray and seek God for the future, we’re doing what the scripture teaches. We’re trusting God for our future, we’re committing our next steps to the Lord, and in this posture of “waiting, committing, and praying” God does His amazing work in our lives, and gives us direction for the future.
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” – Ps. 37:5.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer. 29:11 (NIV)
