Monday Memo 366: Wait, Fly, Run, Walk

I meet with hundreds of people every year to talk about their purpose, productivity, goals and dreams.  I often hear people say that they are waiting on the Lord and they sincerely believe they are doing the proper thing.  They will often quote Isaiah 40:31, which states "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength" (NAS).  The only problem is that anyone who quotes this verse in support of a passive kind of waiting on the Lord is mistaken.  To understand how, you will have to read on.

WAIT OR HOPE?

Let's look at the Amplified translation not only for Isaiah 40:31, but also for the verses immediately preceding it:

Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, My way and my lot are hidden from the Lord, and my right is passed over without regard from my God? Have you not known?  Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.  He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength -- causing it to multiply and making it abound.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and the selected young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted.  But those who wait for the Lord -- who expect, look for and hope in Him -- shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint or become tired (Isaiah 40:27-31 Amplified, emphasis added). 

First of all, the word so often translated "wait," which can speak of passively sitting around for something to happen or someone to show up, is better translated "hope."  Hope is more active, spurring one to action because there is hope.  A football player plays hard to the very end because he or she hopes that the team may still win.  I go to the mall hoping that there will be a good sale on something I need.  So if you are waiting and hoping in the Lord, and I truly hope you are, I must ask you what you are doing while you are waiting.  Your waiting should actually increase your activity level and not decrease it!

NOT CONVINCED?

So how can I say that waiting on the Lord should increase and not decrease your activity level?  Just look at what happens to those who "wait" or "hope."  They will renew their strength and power.  What's more, they will fly like eagles and run without getting weary.  If they can't fly or run, they will at least walk and not faint or become tired.  If waiting is a passive word, why is it mentioned in the context of such action words like fly, run and walk? 

The Lord also promises to give power to the faint, weary and to ones who have no might.  Who is faint and weary but those who have been involved and active, seeking ways to achieve and express their purpose, which is God's will for their lives?  I ran into a person the other day who said to me, "I am waiting for a crystal clear understanding of what the Lord wants from me in this next season of my life."  I wanted to respond, "I hope you find it, but from the sounds of it, you are waiting for God to do what He will not do."  God will not jump through hoops or provide dramatic acts to confirm what He wants you to do.  You will find out as you fly, run or walk in an attitude of hope and expectancy.

I acknowledge that what God wants you to do can only be accomplished in His strength and not your own.  Yet do you need God's strength if you aren't doing anything?  Is God required to sustain you if you are waiting for heaven's phone to ring so that God can speak to you clearly and directly?  I don't think He is.

So are you prepared to wait on the Lord this week?  Good!  That means you will be actively hoping and waiting as you pursue open doors and knock on closed ones.  You will wait as you dream, write, pray and plan. You will wait as you talk to those who can help make your dreams and purpose a reality.  As you do all this, God will cause you to cover a lot of territory, no matter whether your mode of transport is flying or by foot. The important thing is that you move and then see God move with you.  Have a great week!

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HALLOWEEN: I wrote an article years ago concerning Halloween that has been published in magazines and newspapers around the world.  I have updated that article and can send it to you for any contribution to my ministry between now and October 30.  This article is perfect for newsletters, church bulletins and other publications.  You can contribute on my website using PayPal or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91069, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  I will send you a Word and PDF file of the article for you to use in whatever way you choose. 

ASSESSMENT: Have you taken the purpose assessment on my updated website?   Four hundred people have done so since my new site went up and I hope you are among that group.   If you haven't done so yet, why not do so now and then follow up with some of the online resources that can improve your score? 

SEVEN STEPS:  I had three coaching sessions last week and then told my wife, "These were the best sessions I have ever had.  There is no one who approaches purpose the way I do, and I know I really helped the people with whom I met."  That isn't a boast, but it is an acknowledgment that God has given me something special to help His people.  So with that in mind, I am offering another special on my Seven Steps coaching program.  If you want to progress in the area of purpose, then I strongly suggest you invest in yourself.  The cost of the program is $699, but I will discount it to $499 through October 20.  You can make payment on my website using PayPal or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Credit cards are also accepted. You can read about the Seven Steps program here.