I recently had a friend experience God's faithfulness in a long season of patiently waiting on His guidance. The following are some thoughts I had while considering his circumstances:
The more I experience life, the more I realize God's faithfulness is most richly evident and divinely sweet in the seasons of waiting. Actually, is faithfulness faithfulness without a wait? Not that God's faithfulness isn't faithfulness apart from a season of waiting, but we don't percieve it as such -or perhaps a different attribute altogether is manifested, or emphasized. If you have request A, and God provides the answer directly, is it His faithfulness that you appreciate most?
Let me explain it this way... Pretend you’re two again. It’s summertime. You’re on vacation with the family, and towheaded mini-you takes a wild, leap of bravado into the lake. No longer sure of your superior swimming abilities, you begin to panic. Water starts to fill your lungs and you begin to sink. You are sure the end is near when two strong arms suddenly wrap around your squirming body and take you safely to shore. Your rescuer is none other than good, ol' dad.
You always knew your father to be protective, but never before had you experienced it like that. Fact became felt reality. At the same time, your dad is still loving and gentle –and every other quality that comprises his character– but his protection is the only thing your little mind is consumed with at this moment. He kept you from drowning! So it is with the faithfulness of the Lord during and after a long season of waiting. You read and sang about His steadfast love all your life. But now you've seen it. Touched it. Been held by it.
Our God is a great and glorious diamond, with innumerable facets –and it is His gifts of life experiences which shine on those divine facets He has declared to us in His Word, giving them breathtaking beauty. In joy and trial, may you taste the splendor.
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