30 Days of Waiting: Day 5

Who Do You Trust?

All of my anxiety, frustration and anxiousness in waiting points to one thing: I don't truly trust God. It is evident that I have failed to release certain areas of my life to Him: His way, His timing, His will. Avrielle's mom frequently states, "You're not waiting on man, you're waiting on the Lord." If we shift our focus from men to God, it makes the waiting season that much easier. We can trust that our heavenly father will not withhold any good thing from us (see Psalm 84:11). 

When we begin to truly rest and provide tangible evidence of our trust in God, we sleep easier, we breathe easier, we are less frustrated. We move from anxiousness to a state of rest and peace as we place our entire lives in God's hands. That promotion you seek -- it's in God's hands. The baby you wish to form in your belly -- is in God's hands. The marriage you seek -- it's in God's hands. The purpose you wish you walk in -- it's in God's hands. The man or woman you wish to be saved -- is in God's hands. You face, your body's sensitivities, your health --- are all in God's hands. 

Let us therefore humble ourselves and walk in obedience. Let us trust the God who holds the whole world in His hands and rest, just rest.

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him for he cares for you."

1 Peter 5:6

"In His hands are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him."

Psalm 95:4

30 Days Of Waiting: Day 4

When You Make A Mess Of (Patiently) Waiting

I'll be transparent. Today took a turn for the worst. I had the adult equivalent of a temper tantrum and asked for a "break". Yes, a break. In an ideal world (aka Zemi's Idyllic Mind) I would go through life praising the Lord, pursuing my purpose, attaining key goals and then smoothly transition into doing all of the above with my partner, in marriage. And that's not to say I'm only waiting on "the next step" because really I'm not. I'm waiting to finish my degree, I'm waiting on my face to clear up, I'm waiting for deeper spiritual revelations. It's just that this area stretches me unlike any other. I think it's because I spent so many years doing things my way, meaning specifically that I responded to a lot of issues with sex. 

This season literally feels like prison to my flesh because in the absence of sex, my emotions go on a frenzy. Still, it's one thing to identify these issues and another to actively work on them. I know what's going on. I know my flesh is in a panic. I know my emotions need to be brought under control. I know my mouth needs to submit to godly authority. But it can't end in just knowing. That's why this challenge is so important. It's a daily reminder to never be stagnant in your walk. Always push forward. Always cover yourself in prayer. Always ask for the fruit of the spirit. And then what? Wait in active anticipation for all that you envision. 

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

Habakkuk 2: 3

My end goal for this challenge is to be like the woman in 1 Peter 3:4 who had the "unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight". Please pray for me sisters as I endeavor to get there.

Love always,

Zemi

P.S. Remember to follow AvrielleB's reflections here.

30 Days of Waiting: Day 3

Who Are You Really Waiting For?

The most effective way to calm your heart about waiting is to consider the reason(s) you are waiting. Ponder upon why God has extended this season of your life. Are you being obedient? Have you heeded His instruction? Have you done your part (that is, what God has deemed to be required of you) or are you stagnant? Have you decided to do nothing but throw a pity party? Do you constantly complain about your circumstances to anyone who will listen? 

These are important questions: ones that must be reflected upon and brought before the Lord as you seek clarity on these matters.

Perhaps you're having an Israelite moment and are extending your 11 day journey through "the wilderness" to 40 years because of your rebellious ways and nagging mouth.

So I ask you, are you really waiting on...you?

Today, if only you would hear his voice,

“Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,
as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,
where your ancestors tested me;
they tried me, though they had seen what I did.
For forty years I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

Psalm 95: 8 - 11

"Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief."

Hebrews 3: 16 - 18

Don't extend your season of weariness any longer than it need be. Listen, obey, believe and enter into His rest.

Love always,

Zemi

P.S. Remember to follow AvrielleB's reflections here.

30 Days of Waiting: Day 2

Day 2

When my former relationship ended, I drove through a family-oriented neighbourhood with tears welling in my eyes. Why? I could literally see my timeline for the house, car and family I wanted float years into the future. If I had stayed in that relationship I know I would be married by now (my 26th year), but, for whatever reason, that relationship wasn't God's will for my life. As I drove by basketball rims, toys scattered over lawns, and his and hers cars, I knew in my heart that my next season would require waiting and a lot of it. I knew I wasn't going to have one of those whirlwind romances. You know the ones where the couple date, get engaged and married all in a 12 month span. No. I knew my next relationship would require waiting--years of waiting.

Still, I accept my portion. I am blessed to be with someone who has many of the traits I spent years praying for. I was amazed when he came into my life because I had no idea men like him existed, and especially not in my geographical location. Sometimes I wonder why I have such a nagging in me to rush the gift: to dash straight through this season without ever looking up. But I know the answer. It's my flesh. My flesh wants me to dash into marriage without even knowing what marriage is nor what submission looks like. Today, my mouth is still reckless. Today, I still tend to exhibit rebellion and disrespect. Today, I still want to storm off if I don't get my way. Today, I am not ready. And so, for me, the wait is necessary.

Verse of the Day

"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:

       Do not arouse or awaken love

                until it so desires."

          Songs 8:4

Song of the Day

30 Days of Waiting: Day 1

The Introduction

Have you ever anticipated something for so long and with such earnest that it made your heart sad, eyes water and life lose a little bit of its luster? If you refuse to raise your hand that's okay because I have mine raised high. For quite a while now, God has had me in a waiting season. It has been painful. It has stretched me. At times, it has even broken me. But I know I need this. I need these months of not knowing the end date. I need the constant anticipation. I need the season of having my dreams unfulfilled. I need this time to grow, to nurture talents, to mature, to learn and to master a key fruit of the spirit: patience. 

Perhaps you are in a waiting season too. If so, please journey with me over the next 30 days as I respond to my flesh with scripture and songs of praise. 

AvrielleB of www.avrielleb.ca has joined in the on the #30DaysOfWaiting challenge as well.
Please view her blog for the scriptures, songs and reflections that God places on her heart.

If you want to join in, please comment below.

Here's to Day 1 of #30DaysOfWaiting. Sisters, we got this.

We can...wait in inner beauty.

Verse of the Day

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." 

Psalm 43:5

Song of the Day

I know you're getting weary, but please don't give up now. Hope in God and praise Him, in advance.

Love Always,

Zemi