The gorgeous sunlight and warmth of this Sunday afternoon has caused me to run to God with my concerns.  Concerns about the future, the direction my life should take; and concerns about where I am at both spiritually and physically. 

Basking in the warm sunlight, one truth about my faith hit me hard.  I’m receiving from Him the beauty of a late spring day…the green grass, the brilliant sun, the varied hues of the flowers; yet I am still waiting on Him.  I’m waiting for my prayers to be answered…waiting for the promise of tomorrow.

Because I am, like this spring day, a new creation in Christ, God eagerly gives gifts that I never have to wait for – His forgiveness, His strength, His presence, His grace.

Yet, my faith is not content to rest on those things given to me, but yearns for the future promises of God.  God’s timing in response to my prayers, clarity in the next steps, waiting for the Biblical prophesies to be fulfilled of one day joyously enjoying a heavenly fellowship with Him.

Too often I get bogged down in the future and forget about thanking God for the present.  My heart overburdened with “next steps” forgets the supreme joy of daily living in the presence of the Lord.  Matthew 7:31 instructs us “Do not worry!”

In an effort to alleviate today’s worry, I try to manipulate the future.  Instead, I need come to the Lord with a thankful heart, a peaceful heart, an unwavering heart; a heart believing God’s timing is always perfect. 

The rebirth of spring gives me hope to believe that God’s ways are perfect.  The natural world provides countless insights into the profound nature of God. Dry winter gives birth to the warmth of spring; the baby birds sing gloriously, the trees bloom with green and the promise of summer’s shade.  And, I receive the rest necessary to wait upon the Lord for all my tomorrows.

Psalm 27:14 – Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.