Stop Controlling and Start Waiting

Jul 25, 2016Find joy today

This won’t be a long post, but just a little reminder based on what I’m hearing from God. He is calling me to stop trying so hard, allowing Him the luxury or outcomes. I have been pressing and pushing and trying for so dang long. And yet, He calls me (you, us) to wait sometimes.

Fruit isn’t made in a day; it comes in proper seasons, and before it ripens, there is a whole lot of waiting. Winters of deprivation and loss precede the promise of spring. The rains of April give way to shoots of May, then ripening comes.

I wish I loved waiting. But there is something to be said about encouraging ourselves during the wait. To take courage. To remind ourselves that sitting back and listening for direction is a good thing. That rush seldom accomplishes the kingdom of God.

The psalmist gives us simple wisdom:

Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

Friend, it’s not what you do to make things happen, it’s what God does to surprise you when you least expect it. He operates in the margins of waiting. And when it seems like He doesn’t care or He’s completely forgotten about you, that’s when He’s working behind the scenes to bring about something you wouldn’t expect.

His kingdom is NOT:

A + B = C

There are no surefire formulas to build your ministry, find kingdom success. No, it’s simple and rudimentary, involving our waiting and listening and trusting.

So if you’re running around trying to control everything, it’s time to stop, to listen, to wait. And let God get a word in edgewise into your life. He will fulfill His purposes in you. He will complete the work He started. He will be exalted in your life. Quit trying to manufacture the work only He can create. Don’t jump ahead, and let the fruit He wants to bring into your life vine-ripen.

8 Comments

  1. Wayne Stiles

    I love this, Mary. Waiting has been a huge theme in my life the past few years. Thanks for not allowing the lessons to scab over.

    • Mary DeMuth

      Great way to put that, Wayne!

  2. ANNIE EVE

    Hi Mary, the word that I needed to hear today. Exactly, in the mist of disapointement and fear arising… Hope to see spring coming for winter is a season of death and you know that even in spring, ice and cold weater can ruine the harvest… Praying for the mercy of God when I face my own unbelief ! God bless you 🙂

    • Mary DeMuth

      May Spring come!

  3. Carolina

    I love this: “Friend, it’s not what you do to make things happen, it’s what God does to surprise you when you least expect it.” Thank you for this beautiful devotion as I sit in “the wait” or should I say sit in the “research” to get to where I need to be mentally to take on this book. Thank you!

    • Mary DeMuth

      I like that word “research.”

  4. Laura Bennet

    Thanks, Mary. Exactly where we are at right now.

    • Mary DeMuth

      Glad I could help.