Last weeks Devo (The Fall of Paul) recognized the importance of faith in action. The Holy Spirit and Matthew West kept whispering to me to “do something”! How ironic that this past week God has been reminding me of how equally important it is to…

Do Nothing.

Ok. Maybe I wasn’t exactly called to do nothing it’s just that it felt like nothing. What He really called me to do was:

Wait.

Be still.

Let go.

Dang girls. How come that feels like nothing? The bible says we are called to “wait passionately.” The first time I read that I was certain the biblical author had made a mistake.  How do we wait with passion?

I can love with passion.

I can write with passion.

I can even cook with passion.

But wait?

I realized, as I thought through this, that the passion stems from the internal changes which occur in me during the process of waiting. This past week while I’ve been processing “waiting” I’ve been exposed to the following:

• A parent implementing harsh consequences in order to promote good character in an older child.
• A spouse manipulating their partner into reconciliation.
• A friendship forced when from all appearances it may be healthier to part ways.

In each of the above circumstances the folks involved felt compelled to “do something”. Their motives were pure. Their actions were not out of line. It’s just that at the end of the day I couldn’t help but wonder if their desired goal would be met? They were each after a state of the heart in another person. Would a greater good…a deeper work be accomplished by being still? Could it be that the call to action was to wait?

I don’t blame a single one of those folks for what they decided to do. Not one dot. It would be the pot calling the kettle black because I don’t like to wait. I want to DO SOMETHING.

But I’m learning that sometimes it’s better to wait.

And I’m learning there are things that I can do while I wait.

I can pray.

(Asking God to do what He wants, when He wants and how he wants sets the stage for peace.)

I can give thanks.

(Gratitude is the first thing the thief steals from me when I focus on what I cannot control.)

I can direct my thoughts.

(Keeping the hands busy is easy. Keeping my mind on the present and remembering who owns the present is a muscle I continually need to flex.)

This week has been a reminder that there are indeed seasons. Seasons “to do” and season “not to do”. Thank heaven for God’s grace that gives us discernment to know the difference!

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” Ecc. 3:1 ESV

“A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” Proverbs 16:9 AMP

{Be sure to check out the links below for Inspire Me Monday!}

Your DoAhead Friend,