Active Waiting: Pursuing God Through Life's Challenges
Summary
In our current series, "Airplane Mode," we explore the idea of disconnecting from worldly distractions to focus on Jesus through spiritual disciplines. Today, I want to share a personal journey that highlights two often-overlooked spiritual disciplines: waiting and pursuing. These are not typically found in books on spiritual disciplines, yet they are crucial practices that I have repeatedly encountered in my life.
Growing up in a non-religious household, I found my way to faith through a friend's church invitation. My early years were marked by fear and uncertainty, with my father's dangerous job in law enforcement and my brother's legal troubles. During these times, I learned to wait on God, a lesson that would repeat throughout my life. In high school, a football injury and my mother's battle with cancer further taught me the importance of waiting and trusting in God's timing.
As I matured, my relationship with Shelly, who would become my wife, and our involvement in church provided a sense of purpose and community. Despite challenges, such as miscarriages and career uncertainties, we continued to serve and wait on God. It was during a mission trip to Brazil that I felt called to full-time ministry, a path that required more waiting and trusting in God's plan.
Waiting on God is not passive; it is an active pursuit of Him. Scripture teaches us that waiting involves seeking God with all our hearts. This pursuit is not a casual endeavor but a wholehearted commitment. Casual Christianity is an oxymoron; true faith requires us to pick up our cross and follow Jesus with everything we have.
Throughout my life, waiting has been a recurring theme, teaching me patience, resilience, and trust in God's sovereignty. It is through waiting that we truly pursue God, and in pursuing Him, we find Him. This journey is challenging, but it is also the most rewarding path we can take. I encourage you to reflect on where God is calling you to wait and pursue Him in your life.
Key Takeaways:
- Waiting as Active Pursuit: Waiting on God is not about passivity but actively seeking Him. It involves trusting in His timing and being open to His guidance, even when it feels like progress is stalled. This active pursuit deepens our relationship with God and aligns us with His will. [21:07]
- The Challenge of Casual Christianity: True faith requires a wholehearted commitment. Casual Christianity is an oxymoron because following Jesus demands that we pick up our cross and fully engage with our faith. This commitment transforms our lives and draws us closer to God. [24:57]
- Finding God in the Waiting: The process of waiting on God is intertwined with pursuing Him. As we wait, we are actively seeking His presence and guidance. This journey, though difficult, leads us to a deeper understanding and experience of God's love and purpose for our lives. [22:59]
- The Role of Community and Service: Throughout my journey, community and service have been vital. Being involved in church and serving others has provided purpose and growth. It reminds us that we are part of a larger body and that our faith is lived out in community. [10:41]
- Trusting God's Sovereignty: Life's uncertainties teach us to trust in God's sovereignty. Whether it's waiting for a career opportunity, healing, or personal growth, we learn to rely on God's wisdom and timing. This trust is foundational to our faith journey. [35:04]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:03] - Introduction to Waiting and Pursuing
- [05:04] - Early Life and Challenges
- [06:25] - Living in Fear and Finding Community
- [08:39] - College Years and Spiritual Growth
- [10:41] - Marriage and Continued Service
- [11:57] - Calling to Ministry
- [13:35] - Family and Faith Journey
- [15:46] - Loss and New Beginnings
- [17:33] - The Importance of Stories
- [18:46] - Understanding Waiting on God
- [19:48] - Misconceptions About Waiting
- [21:07] - Active Waiting in Scripture
- [22:59] - Pursuing God Through Waiting
- [24:57] - The Challenge of Casual Christianity
- [26:58] - The All-In Commitment
- [29:04] - Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Airplane Mode"
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 37:34 - "Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land."
2. Lamentations 3:25 - "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."
3. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
---
Observation Questions:
1. What are the two spiritual disciplines discussed in the sermon that are not typically found in books on spiritual disciplines? [02:03]
2. How did the pastor describe his early experiences with fear and uncertainty in his family life? [05:04]
3. What role did community and service play in the pastor's journey of faith? [10:41]
4. How does the pastor describe the relationship between waiting on God and pursuing God? [22:59]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Psalm 37:34 illustrate the concept of waiting as an active pursuit of God? What does it mean to "keep his way" while waiting?
2. In what ways does Lamentations 3:25 suggest that waiting on God involves seeking Him? How does this align with the pastor's message about active waiting? [21:07]
3. How does Matthew 6:33 challenge the idea of casual Christianity as discussed in the sermon? What does it mean to seek God's kingdom first? [24:57]
4. Reflect on the pastor's personal story. How did his experiences of waiting on God shape his understanding of faith and trust in God's sovereignty? [35:04]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait on God. How did that experience shape your faith and trust in Him? What did you learn about active waiting during that time? [18:46]
2. The pastor mentioned the challenge of casual Christianity. In what areas of your life might you be living out your faith casually? How can you move towards a more wholehearted commitment? [24:57]
3. Identify a current situation in your life where you feel called to wait on God. How can you actively pursue Him during this waiting period? [22:59]
4. Community and service were vital in the pastor's journey. How can you engage more deeply with your church community to support your spiritual growth? [10:41]
5. The pastor shared about trusting God's sovereignty in life's uncertainties. How can you practice this trust in a specific area of your life where you feel uncertain? [35:04]
6. Consider the idea of seeking God's kingdom first. What practical steps can you take this week to prioritize God's kingdom in your daily life? [21:07]
7. The pastor's story highlighted the importance of finding God in the waiting. How can you cultivate a mindset of seeking God's presence and guidance in your current circumstances? [22:59]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
---
Day 1: Active Waiting as a Spiritual Discipline
Waiting on God is not a passive state but an active pursuit of His presence and guidance. It requires a deep trust in His timing and a willingness to seek Him wholeheartedly, even when progress seems stalled. This active waiting is a spiritual discipline that deepens our relationship with God and aligns us with His will. By engaging in this practice, we learn patience, resilience, and a greater understanding of God's sovereignty. [21:07]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel God is asking you to wait actively? How can you seek His presence more intentionally during this time?
Day 2: The Commitment of True Faith
True faith is not a casual endeavor; it demands a wholehearted commitment to follow Jesus. Casual Christianity is an oxymoron because it requires us to pick up our cross and fully engage with our faith. This commitment transforms our lives and draws us closer to God, challenging us to live out our beliefs with authenticity and passion. [24:57]
Luke 9:23 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"
Reflection: What is one specific way you can demonstrate a deeper commitment to your faith this week? How can you move from a casual approach to a more intentional pursuit of Jesus?
Day 3: Discovering God in the Waiting
The process of waiting on God is intertwined with pursuing Him. As we wait, we are actively seeking His presence and guidance, which leads us to a deeper understanding and experience of God's love and purpose for our lives. This journey, though challenging, is the most rewarding path we can take, as it draws us closer to the heart of God. [22:59]
Lamentations 3:25-26 (ESV): "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when waiting on God led you to a deeper understanding of His love. How can you apply this experience to your current situation?
Day 4: The Power of Community and Service
Community and service play a vital role in our spiritual journey. Being involved in church and serving others provides purpose and growth, reminding us that we are part of a larger body. Our faith is lived out in community, where we support one another and grow together in our walk with Christ. [10:41]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your community of faith this week? What specific act of service can you commit to that will encourage and support others?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Life's uncertainties teach us to trust in God's sovereignty. Whether it's waiting for a career opportunity, healing, or personal growth, we learn to rely on God's wisdom and timing. This trust is foundational to our faith journey, as it shapes our understanding of God's character and His plans for our lives. [35:04]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you struggle to trust God's sovereignty. What steps can you take to surrender this area to Him and rely on His wisdom and timing?
Quotes
1. "We are in a series called Airplane Mode, and we've been asking, what if God wants us to turn on airplane mode in our lives, just like we do on our phones when we get on an airplane? What if he wants us to turn that on in our lives so we can remove ourselves from the distractions of the world, so we can spend time focusing on Jesus?" [00:00:05] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "These are not in the list of spiritual disciplines. And at the same time, they are two things that I have found in my life I have had to repeat over and over and over again. And it is absolutely a discipline every time I have to do it. And so the two things that we're talking about today are waiting and pursuing. Waiting on God and pursuing after God." [00:02:03] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Now, I didn't realize it at the time. I do now, but basically I was living in fear. Like, I would have never said that as a teenager. I would have never even thought that as a teenager, but looking back now, I was living in fear. Fear that my dad would be hurt on the job. Fear that my brother would go to prison. Fear of losing my mom. Now, my life kind of felt out of control." [00:06:56] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Together, church, we found a place of purpose. I had started playing guitar in the middle school. It turns out Shelly could sing pretty well, and so we just instantly became our youth worship leaders, although that looked a little different back then than it does today. We had folding chairs and transparencies. That's pretty much what we had." [00:07:30] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We wait on him by seeking him. Waiting is not passive. Waiting is active. So that's waiting, okay? That's waiting on God. But also there's this concept of pursuing after God. Anybody heard of that? We want to pursue after God. The Bible is also clear that we need to pursue God." [00:21:14] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So there is not waiting on God and then also pursuing after God. Waiting is pursuing. Do you see that? Waiting is pursuing. When you wait upon the Lord, you are pursuing Him. You guys who've said you've experienced that, you know how difficult that is. It's hard." [00:23:42] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "People run from waiting because it's hard to do it. it requires sacrifice. And when they do, they miss out on pursuing God. And if you miss out on pursuing God, do the math, you also miss out on what? Finding God. And if you can't find him, you aren't blessed by him." [00:27:58] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Make God your greatest treasure and you will never ultimately suffer loss. Make God your greatest treasure and you will be empowered to let anything go to gain Christ. Guys, this is AP Christianity here. This is next level. When you are willing to say no to anything in order to gain Christ, you can't casually do that." [00:28:22] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "I'm here as a testimony of how waiting on God, while it's the hardest thing that you will ever do, it's always the greatest thing that you will ever do. Always. So I'm asking you, where is God calling you to wait on him?" [00:29:01] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "People assume I'm passionate about God and faith because I'm a pastor. Well, you have to be. It's your job. They pay you to be passionate about God. Like a dentist is passionate about teeth, or a teacher is passionate about teaching kids. Look, I can assure you that my passion has little to do with my occupation." [00:26:23] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Nov 04, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?