The Lobby

In my wanderings, as I followed God’s trail of breadcrumbs, I found myself involved with a number of ministries—working for some, volunteering for others.  At one point, I was very frustrated with the board and leadership of one of the ministries I was involved with, feeling rejected on all fronts, feeling like I was a part of so many ministries but not really a part of any of them.  I went to bed on a Friday night thinking that I would take some time on Saturday to reflect on those involvements and try to figure out if there was one ministry I should be pouring more into.  Maybe I did need to commit to a “team.”  Maybe I needed to thin some out and just pick one.

The Saturday morning vision went like this:  My husband and I were apparently at a restaurant or lounge.  There was a brightly lit reception area with big windows and the sun streaming in.  There was a large, limestone or slate fireplace that formed the wall between the waiting area and the seating area.  As there often is, there was one of those pedestal signs with the little white letters that slide onto the black grooves to spell out the instruction, “Please wait to be seated.”  In the vision, I had gone beyond the sign crossing over to the dimly lit seating area with the tables and booths where customers could be seated.  My husband was calling to me in a loud whisper as he pointed to the sign, “We’re supposed to wait to be seated!”

Upon awakening, I realized God was chiding me for thinking that I would just go pick my own ministry, my own path!  I could almost see God shaking an admonishing finger, gently saying, “You are to wait to be seated.  I will tell you when your table is ready!”  I guess I am to wander this crazy path day by day, doing only what I am asked for that day and waiting for further instruction.  There is a verse that says God is a light unto our path and a lamp unto our feet.  Oh, how I long for a flood light to the end of the road!  But I will be patient and be satisfied with that precious light that leads and guides and comforts along the way.  After all, I may not want to know where this all leads or what I will endure along the way.  I do trust, however, that the journey will be worth it and that I will be blessed to see him do great things if I continue to be obedient and believe.

“But those who wait on the Lord shall

renew their strength; they shall mount

up with wings like eagles, they shall

run and not be weary, they shall walk

and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 NIV

“Wait for the Lord; be strong,

and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!”

Psalm 27:14 NIV

“The Lord is good to those who wait

for him, to the soul who seeks him.”

Lamentations 3:25 NIV

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,

a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105