He Knows

My church recently completed a study in Isaiah chapter 40. The title of the month long study was, “How Big is Your God?” Much of the study concentrated on the attributes of God. My pastor asked the congregation to read Isaiah 40 in its entirety each day. During this time I was going through a stressful time at work. It was becoming more and more evident to me that I was no longer supposed to be in corporate America. In fact, it had been evident to me for a long time, and I thought God and I were on the same page regarding this.

The fact that I was approaching my 40th birthday and my service anniversary at work, were constant reminders that I was still working a corporate job, which has lost its luster in my eyes, a LONG time ago. I felt STUCK…stuck between duty and destiny. I was complaining more than usual, gaining weight and losing sleep, all signs that I was out of sync. I talked to God about my desire to leave my job. I even decreed and declared that this would be my year. In actuality, I felt STUCK. I felt like I was being left in the dark when it came to God’s exit strategy for me.

Then one morning as I was preparing to read Isaiah 40, I was lead to read it from the Message Bible. As I was reading, these words seemed to jump off the page at me.

“Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or whine, Israel, saying, ‘God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me’? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. He knows everything, inside and out.”

In that moment I felt small. Why would I ever complain? God hadn’t lost track of me. He knew exactly where I was. In fact he’d placed me there. I wasn’t stuck; instead I was being forced to wait. Admittedly, waiting was something I’d never been very good at. But as I continued reading, I realized God had that covered too. “He energizes those who get tired, and gives fresh strength to dropout.” Then, it occurred to me, I felt stuck because I was waiting in my strength and energy, not God’s. In that moment I asked Him to forgive me for complaining. I also asked him to fill me with His energy and to provide me with fresh strength.

Do you feel like God has forgotten about you…like you two had a deal and He’s forgotten about His end? Let me remind you. God hasn’t lost track of you. He knows exactly where you are. You’re not stuck. You’re learning how to wait. Ask Him to give you energy and fresh strength during the wait!

Prayer: Forgive us for the moments when we complain about your timing. Thank you for the gentle reminder that you haven’t lost track of us. You know exactly where we are. In fact, you placed us there. While we are waiting on you to prepare us for the next phase in life, fill us with your energy and provide fresh strength! Amen.