I don’t like to wait! Ok, I admit it. I said it aloud. Whether it is in traffic, standing in line, sitting in the doctor’s office, being on hold, or looking forward to something fun, I am terrible at waiting. I don’t do very well when it comes to waiting on God either. Ok, I admit that too! So when I come to passages that call me to “wait on the Lord” I know this will require a supernatural work.
Part of the problem in waiting is that I view it as inactivity. To me, it is just a waste of time. I need to be “doing” something. What if I thought of waiting as a process word? That in my waiting, God is working in my life. What if I took those moments of waiting and did more reflecting and pondering of the things of the Lord? And what if that waiting had to do with my slowing down a bit? It is in waiting that deepens my dependence on Him.
Another thought around waiting is that the biblical word has more to do with a confident expectation. That is why you might see the word hope in some translations in place of “wait.” For example, Isaiah 40, verse 31 says, “But those who wait on the Lord (or hope in the Lord) will renew their strength.” Renewal of strength is promised to those who wait on Him to provide it. When we admit we have no other help and are in need of Him to give us strength, we can be confident that God will give us the strength we need. Will we wait for it?
Pastor Dan and family are away for the month of July for some renewal. I want to share the elders’ perspective on this time off for Dan:
As many of you know, EBC recently voted to approve a sabbatical policy to honor and help protect the physical, emotional and spiritual health of our pastors. When the elders first discussed the concept with the pastors, it was our hope that Pastor Dan, having served here for 7 years, could benefit from the policy in 2018, because of some of the significant and unique personal, health and corporate challenges he has dealt with over the last several years. However, because the elders wanted to put a fair, well-thought out policy in place and have the members of the church approve it through a church vote, the timing did not work out for Pastor Dan.
Since Pastor Dan could greatly benefit from some physical rest at this time, we have encouraged him to take the month of July off as a long vacation, using his annual benefit of four weeks of vacation time to do so. This should not be seen as sabbatical time under the new policy, but as a long vacation time during which he can recover, recharge, and enjoy some much-needed family relaxation. Hoping this time would work, Dan has been arranging for others to fulfill his responsibilities at church during his time away.
We hope that you will join with the elders in praying for Dan, Susan and their children during this time and encouraging Dan both before and after his time away. Thank you.
Remember to pray for On-Goal Soccer Camp as it is up and running this week. Pray for a big and lasting impact on our community!
Speaking of prayer, it was suggested that we keep prayer builders in place over the summer! I totally agree. Prayer builders will meet this Sunday from 10:05-10:25 in room behind stage.
I can’t wait to see you all Sunday,
Pastor Brian
Looking Forward
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“Christ, the Victor”Revelation 1:1-8
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