Disciples in Waiting

This Easter, and the past few days leading up to it, has inspired many thoughts that I had never had before.  These past few months have yielded many lessons in waiting for me, as I have been waiting on some things to be decided that will determine the course of my life.  At times, trusting God has been a struggle, although I do know that He is in control.  


As I was thinking about Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday, some people came to mind who had a very difficult time of waiting.  They were Jesus' disciples.  When Christ was crucified, their hopes were shattered. They thought that He was their Messiah, but then He was tortured to death as a criminal.  And while we remember the crucifixion with the knowledge that the resurrection  was coming, they didn't know it was coming.  Sure, they had heard Jesus tell them that He would soon leave them, but would be coming back, but they did not know how it would all play out.  


In their time of waiting, they struggled with trusting that Jesus was even who He had told them He was--their Lord!  Now, we can look at that and say that we are at least a little better than that, because we "don't doubt that Christ is our Lord."  We know  that is true.  


We just doubt that He is....who He tells us He is. 
We doubt He is our compassionate Shepherd.  We doubt that He is our faithful Provider.  We doubt that He is our loving Friend.  We doubt that He is our gracious Father. . . .The list goes on.  We doubt that He is who He has promised He is!  Sure, we know it in our heads.  But the true understanding of His essence does not come until we are seeking His face (not His hand), and we experience these attributes for ourselves.



This is why it is so important to have a daily relationship with our Creator.  Now, this is where a lot of people slide.  A relationship goes 2 ways. It involves investment of time, energy, emotions, thoughts, and communication.  Many people seem to think that their relationship with God is fine if they simply pray, or simply read their Bibles for a time each day.  However, just like in human relationships, if the conversation is one-sided, it results in frustration. Talking to God without giving Him a chance to speak to you will be frustrating, because of the relationship's confined communion. 


This week, I would challenge you to fully rely on God, trusting who He has told us He is.  Engage in conversation with Him throughout your day, conversing with Him as things come up.  Seeking His face instead of His hand will bring out a thankful spirit rather than a demanding one, and that part of your relationship with your Heavenly Father will overflow into your relationship with His children as well.  Truly and fully trusting God has so many, many ramifications--if we would only do it.  We must still be disciples, following Christ wholeheartedly, even while we are in times of waiting.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 20:13

GE (High School Senior)