Hebrews 9:16-28 | What am I going to do about it?

As I consider yesterday's lesson of waiting upon the Lord, one of the natural questions that arises is how to wait upon the Lord? If we were to compile all the texts where this theme is discussed, we will see different expressions of what it looks like. In some instances, it is simply an exercise of trust and knowing that the Lord will in fact show up. So we need not try to achieve the will of God on our own. We rely on His timing. I think of Abraham and Sarah. They failed to wait upon the Lord in trust and took matters into their own hands. The child of the flesh did not produce the promises of God.

Other instances involve something that our culture naturally struggles with. Slowing down.

10Be still, and know that I am God
-Psalm 46:10a

If I were to consider my greatest hinderances on waiting on the Lord I would find distraction to be a foremost issue. It appears to be extremely common as well. As I have mentored, discipled, or simply had conversations with other believers, it seems that the vast majority of us struggle with distraction. As very well intentioned believers, we sit down for Bible study and immediately get distracted from what we were originally setting out to do. Suddenly we have run out of time and the requirements of life pressure us to move on and take care of other things in our lives.

There are two points of action I want to implement. 1) Carving out time daily for the Lord apart from distractions. 2) Fostering an attitude of being still and knowing He is God throughout my day.

Carving aside time may be a difficult measure for many of us. We are already far too busy. I am reminded of an old acronym for busy - Being Under Satan's Yoke. The enemy loves making us too busy. We get so many things occupying our minds that when we finally do sit down to have Bible study, our minds are set on other things. This is why my second point of action is necessary.

If I am to foster an attitude of being still and knowing He is God throughout the day, then I am looking for more opportunities to sit with the Lord. We all have those things that we are drawn away to. It may be a moment on our phones or looking for entertainment. We might be trying to slip away to talk to someone we care about. Perhaps we are looking to slip away simply for a moment of silence. What if the Lord was the one we were slipping away to? When we have this mindset we actively look for moments we can spend with the Lord. No when we sit down in carved out time with Him, He has already been on our mind throughout the day. We are ready to receive what He has for us in that time.

While that may be application I am eager to implement, what application are you doing?