Single? Waiting on the Lord?
“Wait on the Lord” — granted (Psalm 27:14, etc.)
But also — “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matt 4:7).
There is a lot of bad advice out there. What made you think you were suppose to be inactive while waiting?
Think on these things, and the Lord will give you insight.
Exodus 14:
13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” 15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.
1 Corinthians 3:6
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
1 Corinthians 9:
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Too often, we make excuses for our own lack of intentionality or personal leadership — using care in how you “lead your own life.”
We fail to accept that responsibility, and (related) we fail to recognize that we have agency. (Excellent resources here.)
Jacob Brunton commented:
This is how we often act or think. In many areas of life we are secretly tempted to blame God’s sovereignty for the results of our laziness. I call it “selective sovereignty.”
If your father has given you a wristwatch, it would be foolish to keep asking him what time it is. He has given you what you need to solve your own problem. Embrace the reality: Your problem is not external, but internal. You have played the victim, and you can stop.
Do you ever find yourself using God’s sovereignty as an excuse for inaction? Or saying “things got out of control,” when what you mean is “I dropped the ball”?
Some areas in which you might consider taking more initiative:
- Your Ministry
- Your Career and Business Network
- Your Friendships
- Your Marriage
- Your Parenting
- Your Finances
- Your Health
- Your Diet
- Your Spiritual Disciplines
- Your Battle to Overcome Temptation/Sin
- Your Own Approach to Political Action
- Your Approach to Being Salt and Light in your Society/Culture
- Your Intellectual Growth
Trust God. But keep the camel tied.
