“God never asks us to figure out a solution to our impossible situations. Instead, he calls us to trust him.”- Dr. Wayne Stiles
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”- Mark 10:27 (ESV)
Dr. Wayne Stiles concludes Chapter 8 of Waiting on God by affirming that we find impossible situations frustrating. On the other hand, Wayne states, “God intends those unreasonable and often unbearable circumstances to encourage us to the next round. . . . We connect what we learn about God’s faithfulness in one area of life to all other areas of life.”
Therefore, if we consistently flee from the pain faithfulness demands of us, we won’t experience the joy of God’s power. As Wayne emphasizes, “God’s miracles require impossible contexts.” Furthermore, a lengthy period of waiting and faithfulness witnesses that only God provides blessings, success, and goodness in our lives.
As Jacob journeyed to Egypt with his sons to reunite with Joseph, God graciously encouraged Jacob to follow the Lord’s leading. Dr. Stiles reminds us that those promises remain true for us as well:
“Like Jacob, we receive few specifics from God when he initiates change, but he gives us everything we need to take the next few steps. His Word, like a lamp, show us only our next few steps. (Sometimes this means waiting.) And like Jacob, we have the assurance of God’s presence with us . . .”
Yet, sometimes we don’t even recognize that we’re waiting on God for blessings He alone knows He’ll give us.
Today’s question: During your desert, transformational time after your ministry downsizing or vocation loss, how have you trusted God in yur impossible situations? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Joy only God can give”
