Psalm 37:7 NIV
Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
It was the morning of our departing flights to head to Seaside, FL, for our annual women’s retreat weekend. The weekend was planned, guests were going to be traveling from all over the country to join us, and our hosting team was loading up to arrive a few days early to make final preparations in town. I woke up, ready to witness all God had planned, to a few missed texts and calls that came through overnight. Texts and calls from 3 of the 8 people on our hosting team. They all had unavoidable conflicts leaving them with no choice but to stay home. All of this happening hours within our departure time.
Frankly, my nature is to scramble when things are out of my control, when I have a plan that suddenly needs to change and I’m not sure how just yet. This morning was different. I had a peace as though this was the plan all along, I just didn’t know it until that moment. We left for the airport and traveled to Seaside with 5 of our 8 hosts. Expectant of what God was doing to take care of those who needed to stay home, to fill their roles to maintain our retreat experience in the way God wanted to, and to guide me in decisions that needed to be made. I had peace that surpassed my understanding, literally. That morning, I jumped in the shower and began talking to God. Asking Him to help me rest patiently, knowing this was not a surprise to Him. He had plans all along that I was getting to watch unfold as an active participant. I said, “God, give me urgency to act in accordance with your plans so your will can be done.”
We arrived in Florida without worship leaders and without our on-site coordinator. Two roles I ironically had found a lot of comfort in having filled 12 months prior to our retreat. Instead of worrying and scrambling, I prayed a lot. Asking God for patience and guidance. We had 48 hours until the guests arrived.
Twenty-four hours before our guests arrived, I was introduced to a phenomenal woman of God who is gifted with the most beautiful voice that takes you straight to a holy place with the Lord. Truly. And her heart is even more beautiful than her voice. She lives locally and was available to sing over us in the Chapel at Seaside. The really cool part of this story: she had been asked to sing at another event that same day and time but felt the Lord prompt her to keep her schedule open…God knew where she was to be that Friday morning and it was with our group. Chills.
The coordinator role was easily managed with our remaining team. by dividing tasks and working together, something I’m so grateful to have in our host team. God sent women there to serve. Thank you, Lord.
Sometimes waiting looks like a years-long journey, sitting with the Lord with a specific desire that isn’t quite in His timing just yet. Other times, patience can look like what I described above. Waiting for God to show up in our desperate urgency, with a sudden shift of plans and a 3-day timeline for resolution. Patience is most often taught to be linked to waiting on God and trusting Him, whether it’s long term or a situation that’s more prone to cause urgent panic. Psalm 37:7 urges us to be still before the Lord, waiting patiently for Him. I can testify from my personal experience here that my time talking with the Lord, believing He had a plan and the change in my plans at the last minute was no surprise to Him, was time MUCH better spent instead of me fretting about it. And look what happened! He worked ALL THINGS together for my good and His glory. He does it every time.
Thank you, Father, that you are a good, good Father that is never surprised. When we are prone to fret, you are still. Sure of the good things you have planned. Help us to quickly rest in peace when things do not go our way or when prayers feel unanswered. Help us to see your peace that surrounds us as we long for something we desire that is still unseen. We believe that when we delight ourselves in you, you give us the desires of our heart. Fulfillment that comes only from knowing you, God (Psalm 37:4) Amen.
- Britt Goff #wheatfulwednesday #wheatandhoneyco