We’re all beautiful women representing multiple generations, but we’re all part of a specific one – The Microwave Generation. I like to describe it as a generation fascinated with instant gratification, that at times is arrogant and selfish. We think we can make our lives happen according to our own plans and our best interests. Completely disregarding the fact that our lives are part of a bigger plan. Better yet, our lives simply don’t belong to us but instead belong to God.
Speaking from experience, anytime my grandiose plans don’t happen like I think they should, I tend to take matters into my own hands. Then, I pray and pray asking God to bless my plans, never once consulting Him about His plans for my life. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.” This scripture clearly tells me the order of my actions is completely wrong. As the older generation would say, “Honey you’re out of order!” I’m sure you all can relate. We try to “manipulate” God (even though we can’t) hoping it will get us whatever we want. It’s arrogant and selfish of us to think our plans are greater than God’s. We’re missing the opportunity to see the bigger picture.
But what happens when God is silent? Do we keep moving or wait?
We Wait!
We have to realize the reward is in the wait. As women, we tend to move prematurely based off of our emotions and not God. We both can’t be emotional so God acts in our best interest.
If we look at Sarah in Genesis we’ll learn a lot from her life. Sarah hadn’t conceived a child and never would…at least that’s what she thought. The dream of giving her husband Abraham a son was becoming a distant reality. But what she didn’t know is God clearly told Abraham he would have a son with her. Out of her impatience, she decided to take matters into her own hands – Sound familiar? Following a custom, she instructed Abraham and maidservant, Hagar, to sleep together to conceive a son. Sarah thought fulfillment would follow but it didn’t show up, instead anger took it’s place. Long-story-short, Sarah conceived at the age of 90. She created unnecessary problems for no reason, simply because she didn’t wait on God. We’re just as guilty.
We don’t want to relinquish control of our lives and neither did Sarah, which causes us to become impatient with God. But we have to realize God’s timetable doesn’t line up with our schedule. When God is silent you’re not being punished, nor does it mean take matters into your own hands. It simply means to wait, because He’s preparing you for greater. Just as He birthed greatness from Sarah (her son Isaac) He wants to do the same in you, but you have to be prepared for it. But you’ll never be prepared if you can’t sit still!
Sarah thought following the norm (her customs) would bring her fulfillment and it didn’t. The same goes for us, we follow the world’s definition of success and when we achieve it we’re still empty. We love justifying our actions by saying we’re doing a good thing to find out it wasn’t the right thing for our lives – there is a difference. Why do we keep chasing a destination that isn’t God’s destination for our lives? If we want to be fulfilled, we have to stop chasing what we can see and go to our God, our source, for what we truly need.
Like Sarah, we are only limited to our perspective not realizing God is ready to birth greatness out of our lives. Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT serves as a reminder saying, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
If God has you in a holding pattern and hasn’t answered your prayers just yet, don’t get frustrated. Instead, take pleasure knowing He loves you and only wants the best for you. Be content exactly where God has planted you because this season has a reason. But most importantly, practice child-like faith and ditch your child-like patience wanting instant gratification. When you do, I can guarantee you’ll receive your reward – the reward of fulfillment and peace knowing God has you exactly where He wants you!
Heroic Inspirations 