Pause and Listen

Am I the only one counting the days left in Lent? It’s a little embarrassing how weary I’ve become with fasting and the liturgical season meant to make me rely more upon Christ. And yet here I am, so eager to reach the promise (Easter) but losing sight of the need to seek and listen to God on the journey.

Yes, I am weary, worn out, prone to impatience and complaining to God about my life, whining about when are you going to answer me! Come on, Lord, hurry up and fix all the things going wrong! Whether or not the Psalmist whined as I too often do, I haven’t a clue.

But his words are my words: "Let my cry come to you. Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress . . . answer me speedily." (Psalm 102:2-3)

Speedily, Lord! I’m tired of waiting and wandering in this wretched (spiritual) desert.

My journey is not over. God isn’t going to whisk me away from the daily crosses I have yet to carry between now and the end—whether I mean the end of Lent or the end of my earthly life. He didn’t instantly solve the Israelite’s problems, either. (Numbers 21:4-9) Yes, He heard their prayer just as loud and clear as He hears mine. But there is a lesson in their pleading, that while I wait, I must listen and trust.

In the day of their distress—the people were dying!—Moses cried out to God for the Israelites. He pleaded for relief in their urgent need. God replied, and Moses was listening. How often am I listening? How often do I even pause for a breath so that God can answer me?

When the Lord responded to Moses, He gave a command that the people must look upon a serpent to be saved. Certainly God could have saved the people in an instant, yet He asked something of them. And I think it wasn’t so much the serpent Moses fashioned for them that saved them, as it was their obedience and turning back to God with full trust.

While I wait, I must listen and trust.Click to tweet

What are you pleading for? Today, quiet your own voice for a few minutes, and listen to the Lord who hears you, and has an answer for you. Wait for Him, and trust.

Gina Fensterer is a Colorado native at heart, but the West Coast beach life suits her just fine. She currently lives in small coastal area of California with her husband and six children. She loves the Jesus prayer, coffee at any time of day, homemade salsa, photography, and sleepy toddler snuggles. You can find out more about her here.