Be Still Before The Lord

by Bermie Dizon

This is a lesson I learned through the years as a pastor, Christian, employee, dad, etc.

There were times when I felt that God’s Spirit was guiding me toward a new and exciting direction, whether it’s a new project, a ministry, a specific focus, or a particular emphasis.

Often I become very eager to get started. I was a type A person and I didn’t have much patience. My thinking has always been “do it now!”

Yet, I have learned from the people I work with. These are the people in our team that give advice, criticism and suggestions.

When I sense that God is leading us to do something, I often start feeling anxious, thinking that we are falling behind and need to catch up.

I, for one, become so eager to turn our ideas into reality, just as we’ve imagined them since they first took shape in our minds.

In my mind, I know that God has placed these ideas in our hearts. And so I wanted to see it happen — right now! Without any delay.

Here is the lesson I learned.

Any role or task that God assigns to us is primarily His way of starting a new work within us.

So, even though we may be itching to move forward, we must resist the urge to skip the necessary preparation for the work God intends to do through us and in us.

This preparation involves waiting and trusting while God takes action within us.

Therefore, even when we sense that God is leading us in a clear direction, don’t rush for which we may not yet be fully prepared.

The best place to be while waiting for God’s perfect timing is on the sidelines, where we can take the time to reflect, meditate and pray on what He’s teaching us.

In other words, internalize the lessons He’s providing, and grow into the person of integrity that He is calling us to become.

Yes, it can be challenging to wait as we linger on the edge of God’s assignment, listening for the signal to dive in, but waiting until His timing is right.

Often what God is doing within us takes time to fully develop.

BERMIE DIZON is a retired pastor of Grace Communion International at Glendora, California and a former writer for USA Tribune for 9 years.