I Want What's Best, Even If It's Hard To Wait For

On Sunday, I was listening to the pastor preach about God directing our steps and then I heard the song, "Walk on Water" by Britt Nicole. As I listened to these lyrics, I wondered, "How am I supposed to tell the difference between waiting for the Lord's leading and waiting because I'm afraid to step out?" I mean, in my own life, I have no direction yet from the Lord as to where to go or what to do, but I'm questioning whether it's because He hasn't spoken or it's because I'm afraid to take a step out of my boat where I'm comfortable. Even as I write this, I'm wondering, "What am I so afraid of?" I don't know. All the "what if's" come and skate around in my head.

Especially, what if it's something I kinda want to do just to show everyone that I can do it, that I can "be something". But this would bring glory to myself and not to God, defeating my purpose of living for God's glory, not my own. I think God wants me to learn to be content in ALL things...including "being" me and whatever he leads me to, and remembering that it's not what I do or don't do that gives me value. I thought I'd learned this lesson before, but apparently not entirely.

Today, I'm clinging to Isaiah 48:17 - "This is what the Lords says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.'" God is teaching me what is best for me - only He knows what's truly best for me. What I think is best might only be God's good, and I want God's best, nothing else. So I need to learn from Him what's best for ME, not anyone else...ME. I think when I learn that "Father knows best", He will begin to direct my steps in the way I should go and doors will open that I never thought could possibly open, reminding me that with God, all things are possible (Luke 1:37).

What Now, Lord?

Never in my life have I been so, shall we say, clueless. I mean, I really have no idea what to do with my life. I've graduated with my Biology degree and I'm asking God, "Now what?" But I have yet to get an answer. Everytime I look at job announcements and think about putting in my resume for different things - from lab techs to administrative assistants - I get so overwhelmed and just so unsure of what will happen. I know God desires that I trust him completely - with the known and the unknowns of life. But just because I know that's what He wants and is the right thing to do, it doesn't make it any easier to do.

God has also revealed to me, now more than ever, that I am called to ministry, but how and where and when and what??? I don't know that either.
Before my college semester ended, I knew that I would have a summer of trusting God and getting to know him more intimately. Now I'm smack in the middle of this time in my life, just waiting to hear his voice and follow his lead. While I'm waiting, I am getting involved in as much ministry as possible this summer. I'm leading worship at my church on Wednesday nights every other week, I'm helping out with Sidewalk Sunday School and VBS, and I'm helping out in the office as well. I really love doing anything ministry-oriented and I'm excited about these things this summer.

So even though I may not see the big picture, I can see little snapshots that evidence God's working in and through me to accomplish his plan for my life. I know it's a good plan, to give me hope and a future (Jer. 29:11). I stand on his promise that he is always with me (Heb. 13:5) and he will guide my steps.

My question for you today is this: What are you waiting on God to do in your life? Don't give up trusting in him. God is never late, but always on time. Faith is the vehicle by which we get from where we are to where we want to be. Have faith today: the best is yet to come!