Believers can be good at making lanes sound spiritual.
- “I’m waiting on the Lord.”
- “I’m learning to rest in the Lord.”
- “I don’t want to get ahead of God.”
These statements are meant to end the conversation. They are not meant for debate. How do you counter what someone feels that God has told them in their personal times with Him. But, are they really from God or just excuses.
Excuses make us feel better about ourselves when we know that there must be more there we are not experiencing.
What is a believers rest?
For the Israelites rest was the promised land (Joshua 1:13). The ones that came out of Egypt were not allowed to rest due to disobedience (Psalm 95:8-11). Two-thirds of the tribes of Israel were given rest (land), and had to help fight for the other’s rest (Joshua 1:14-15). Rest was not a lazy activity. It had to be fought for and was only attained by the promise of God.
Rest is also God’s presence -for the promise of the Gospel is the gospel I am invited to enter God’s presence (1 John 3:19; Psalm 62:1; Psalm 91:1; Hebrews 4:16; Exodus 33:14). This is the secret of not getting ahead of God. When His presence moves, we move. When it carries, we set up camp (Numbers 9:15-23). But in order to do this we must keep a watchful eye on His presence.
Passivity is not a fruit of the spirit. It is not a synonym for patience. It is a deadening of your heart. It’s a sign of giving up and not caring.
My pastor always says he doesn’t believe in silent prayer. Even at home alone we should be praying aloud to God.
Most believers (me included) can be passive about God’s plan for their lives. This should not be. God doesn’t want me to kill my heart, instead, He is doing all He can to call it to my life. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). Out of the heart flows springs of life (Proverbs 4:23).
Does this mean we can never be unsure of God’s leading? I hope not because that is what I experience sometimes. But it is not a time to be passive when I experience it.
We are not called to be passive. We are to passionately pursue God (James 4:8). Find those areas of your life where God’s presence stirs within you. Fan those flames and watch how you come to life like never before.
From Pity to Praise 