Working in the waiting

“So there at Hebron, David made a covenant before the LORD with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel, just as the LORD had promised through Samuel.” 1 Chronicles 11:3 NLT

As I gazed longingly outside the window to the left of my recumbent bike where I was getting in a workout early yesterday morning, I couldn’t help but smile. In a few days I would once again be back out there running; something I tried Saturday for a few miles before slowing down to a fast walk upon realizing the anterior tendinitis on my right foot that had developed from the long runs the prior two weekends wasn’t quite healed after a week of aqua running. Recognizing this as a great opportunity to continue working on some areas in my training I routinely neglect, I said to myself “Just a few more days Melissa. Be patient and remain joyful. Some more cross-training, weights, and core work will do you good both mentally and physically and have you better prepared for the next run God calls you to.” 

And you know, when it comes to being patient and waiting on the Lord, the Bible tells us that when Samuel anointed David, David didn't take the throne until some 15 years later. But you can be sure God didn’t waste this time of waiting and neither did David. In the wait, God prepared David to be king and David learned to trust what God “had promised through Samuel.” Think about it... the only vocation David had known up until that time was shepherding. He surely didn't know the ins and outs of kingly protocol or the rules of royal deity. Nor did David have the support of the people or armies he would need to defend himself as king. He was merely a lowly shepherd boy in need of divine guidance and training; something the Lord provided over the course of many years through trials, troubles, and tests. So you see, rather than hurriedly taking the position he was promised, David recognized his need to grow as a leader and so waited for God to move him from the pasture to the palace; a decision that undoubtedly benefited him as king. 

Maybe you’re like David today? Perhaps you recognize that God has a special job for you? One for which you’re not quite ready to fill? If that’s you, I hope you'll learn something from the life of David. Just because He was anointed and appointed didn’t mean he was ready, and you may not be either. So wait on God’s timing as you trust His promises.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that recognizing our calling doesn’t mean we are ready to fulfill it. Help us to trust You and Your timing as we allow You to make and mold us into the persons we need to be as we wait. Cause us to remember that we are the clay and You are the Potter. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Canvas and the clay