Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.”—Exodus 14:15-16 NLT
In the last blog, I said I have noticed a strange and almost faithless attitude with many Christians. We seem to find it easier and more convenient to pray or “wait on the Lord” rather than take the necessary action to address a situation. It’s like we use prayer as a cover-up for our laziness, fear, inaction, and our unwillingness to engage in difficult conversations.
I have also realised that a lot of the ideas God gives us never get acted on, or at least not on time. Some have a passion for a cause, an idea to develop a particular life interest, and some have heard from God about a particular direction He wants them to take. Whether it’s ministry, business, or career-type ideas, we seem to be content to keep praying for God to show us the way without taking that much-needed action.
I’m not saying that praying or waiting on the Lord is wrong. Equally, I’m not saying that prayer isn’t necessary, efficacious or powerful. In fact, prayer and “waiting on the Lord” are powerful spiritual practices and disciplines every follower of Christ should engage in. What I’m saying is that we should be ready to integrate and back our prayers up with the necessary practical spirit-led action.
Prayer, sometimes, is not enough. There should be a balance between this great spiritual discipline and practical action. Praying and “waiting on the Lord” is a time to trust, to be still and be attentive to God’s instructions. However, we need to be careful that this is not used as a delay tactic. We need to guard against this becoming a way to avoid risk, confrontation, taking responsibility, and engaging in critical thinking and reasoning. The book of James reminds us that faith on its own, without works or action, is useless and dead: “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” James 2:17 (NLT)
Maybe you have drawn up a checklist you believe must be ticked off, or you want more clarity, or you believe the blank spaces must be filled before you make a move.
God is saying to you today, “Stop your procrastination! Stop wasting time by saying I’m still ‘waiting on the Lord.’” Recognise when God has already said “Go” and take that bold step and move forward.
Take the initiative by stepping out and dipping your feet in the water while still praying. Exercise your faith, trust God, and He will be waiting on the other side. He promised that He will not leave you and He will not forsake you.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 