Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. – Psalm 37:7
Yesterday we talked about how fear can keep us stuck in our safe routines and convince us that staying put is the safer way to go. We looked at the one-talent servant who let fear bury what God had given him instead of stepping out in faith and taking a risk. And that is an important lesson. Fear can keep us from the good works that God wants to accomplish through us.
But today, I would like for us to consider the other side of the coin. Because just as fear can keep us from acting, impatience can push us into acting when God actually wants us to wait. Not every open door is meant to be walked through. Not every opportunity is meant for right now. And not every stirring in our heart means “go.” Sometimes it means, “be still.”
I think a good example might be that of Abraham. God made a special promise to Abraham – that He would give him an heir who would fulfill His covenant promise (Gen. 15:4-5).
But God wouldn’t fulfill that promise immediately. Years would pass. Sarah grew old and her body aged. Human logic suggested that her childbearing window had closed.
Sarah came up with plan B: “Go sleep with my servant, Hagar.”
Instead of listening to God, Abraham listened to Sarah. However culturally acceptable their decision might have been during that time in history, it was spiritual rebellion no less. They chose human engineering over faith. And their choice is an echo of what transpired back in the Garden of Eden – when Adam chose to listen to Eve instead of trusting God. And we read about the consequences of their sin as well. Immediate relational tension between Abraham and God; Sarah’s bitterness; Hagar’s mistreatment; the birth of Ishmael, whose descendants would go on to live in conflict with all his brothers. All of this turmoil was born out of their impatience.
The same is true today, isn’t it?
God promises.
God delays.
Humans become impatient and devise their own solutions.
There are moments in the Christian life when obedience looks surprisingly quiet. God may call us to pause, to settle our spirit, and to let Him work in a way that doesn’t require our hands – only our trust. Waiting can feel like inactivity. But spiritually, it’s often one of the hardest forms of obedience God calls us to. Because the truth is that waiting tests our faith just as much as stepping out does. Sometimes even more.
There are seasons when God says, “Step out,” and there are seasons when God says, “Be still.” Wisdom comes with learning the difference. And it’s okay if we don’t always get it right – God is still incredibly patient with us! But perhaps today He’s inviting you to breathe, to quiet your racing thoughts, and remember that doing nothing isn’t always disobedience. Sometimes it’s exactly what faith looks like.
Former Blackout Artist 