This post, by Heather Weir, is a reflection on “On the Day God Acts” sermon as part of the “I Have to Do What????” sermon series.
It will be said on that day,
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Isaiah 25:9 (NRSV)
On Sunday Tim Tang talked about waiting for the day when God acts. Waiting, said Tim, is different than doing nothing. It might feel like doing nothing, but it is not.
Ok. So what is it we do while we wait for God? And how can we tell when we should do something?
I am an automatic problem solver. If someone tells me something that is going on in their life that looks like a problem to me, I look for solutions. Sometimes my friends aren’t looking for solutions, they just need to vent about a situation. I’ve had to learn to stop offering solutions when they aren’t the thing required. I have to say “Do you want me to problem solve, or do you just need me to listen?” (True confessions: sometimes I problem solve even when a listening ear is what is requested.)
My automatic problem solving kicks into gear when I hear about waiting for God, the inaction that is not really inaction.
I tell God what God should do to solve the problem.
I tell God what God should have me do to solve the problem.
I tell God what God should have others do to solve the problem.
This is not waiting.
Waiting involves silence, not suggestions.
Waiting means listening and looking for God.
Waiting is difficult.