Wait patiently
14 years old. On fire. Burning inside. Pick me, pick me – put me on the team, Jesus! Did a lot, but achieved nothing. Maybe some, of eternal value – hardly.
“I have a word for you.” This is it; this is the time when Jesus is going to tell me what to do, where to do it, how to do it, and when.
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…”
What!?
Okay. Okay. Waiting. That means continue doing what I’m currently doing until Jesus says to do something else. Sure, I can do that.
I couldn’t. I didn’t.
I tried. I tried very hard. I tried too much. Life became too much. In the world, of it, but trying not to be. Trying to be good, holy, to do the right thing. Trying to fit in, everywhere, with everyone. Forgot to wait.
24 years old. On fire. Burning inside. But also scarred, hurt, and lonely inside.
“I have a word for you.” This is it; Jesus has not given up on me, he’s going to tell me what to do, where to do it, how to do it, and when (which is now obviously, because life ends at 30, duh!).
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…”
What!? No way. Haven’t I come any further in 10 years!?
Continued to do what I did, which was running, not waiting. Trying, trying, and trying. And doing – oh so much doing. Mostly in my own strength, to the point where trying to give all to Jesus became a performance in itself. If I just try a little bit harder it will happen.
My world shattered. Broke into pieces. Death, this is how it will happen, I’m dying. “It will be fine”, they said, “just try not to try so hard.” Words, well-meaning words. Words, words, words. I wish they would be quiet.
Even in pieces, I tried. Tried to build a better world. Tried to be light, to be salt, to be different.
And Jesus waited. For me. He waited for me to be still. Still, so he could pick up the pieces and glue them back together. In a new way, in a beautiful way, in a strong way.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7)
Be still. Be patient. Wait for the LORD to act. (Psalm 37:7a, NIRV)
- Pernilla Snethlage
THIS SUNDAY
KEYS TO THE KINGDOM: Unlocking the Parables
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
Tracy Dunham
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