Strife and frustration describe my state of mind the year we tried to move to Lindale, Texas. We lived in Chandler. I taught in Lindale and had after school commitments in Tyler. This meant 30 minutes to work, 30 to activities after school, and 30 back home. It seemed we rarely were home, and I wanted more family time in the evenings with my little 2nd grader.
The House That Didn’t Show
We put our house on the market, and in nine months, our house only showed three times, and when it was messy. One of these times was a Monday morning after we arrived home late the night before from a ski trip. Because we had school and work early the next morning, I decided all the unpacking could wait until the next evening. A realtor brought someone to the house that very day. More than once did I question the direction in which I thought God was leading us.
A Different Direction
At the end of nine months, we took the house off the market. A month later, the Lord led me in a different direction, to interview for a position in a different district. I was hired, and we re-listed the house. Soon, we had a contract pending, found a house in Tyler, and closed on both houses the same day.
The Promise
Sometimes we get a prompting from God, but we get the timing or exact direction wrong. This happened with Abram and Sarai. In Genesis 15, , God promised to give Abram an heir and as many offspring as the stars. But when 10 years passed without the heir’s arrival, Sarai began to doubt her part in God’s plan.
By Chapter 16, Sarai, impatient for the promise, attempted to “help God out.” She gives Abram her slave hoping Hagar would have a baby for them, but it didn’t work out as she had planned. When she found out she was pregnant, Hagar despised Sarai and treated her with contempt. This caused many hurt feelings, mistreatment, and years of jealous feelings – not what Sarai hoped.
Getting in the Way
When we try to “help” God with the plan He has for us, it’s safe to say we can make a mess of things. Many times, we are left with anger and frustration.
Waiting for God’s timing can be one of the hardest experiences He calls us through. However, it is the most rewarding and encouraging when we allow God room to move, work, and carry out His plans for us. It strengthens our faith, and He gets the glory.
Prayer
Lord, show us where we are trying to get in the way and where we need to release our situation into your trustworthy hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Blessings.