Eager Anticipation

I asked dad what topic he wanted written on for this weeks devotion. His response was “what I’m going through”. He had just mentioned how he feels trapped and worried to be a burden on us. He mentioned feeling like he is in a cage. Even still we are reminded of Paul; sharing the Gospel while legitimately in a cage, in shackles. While dad has been laying in the hospital, his testimony and love for the Lord has spread. Nurses all throughout the Neurology ICU floor have talked about how involved they feel to take care of their Godly friend…whom they only saw awake for a day. That says a lot to leave a legacy for God in a few hours span. To strengthen your testimony even under tribulation. A lot of times in life, we are going after something but feel trapped or stuck. Maybe something is legitimately in the way… prison bars, sin, or fear. Maybe it’s us saying we are stuck out of not truly wanting or feeling ready to make next steps. Perhaps we are so caught on where we want to be, we can’t find how to get there. In the midst of waiting, struggling or figuring, we are called to be patient but also called to be ready to move when the Lord clears the path. We can live life in ministry to others while waiting for our opportunity ahead. Are your current circumstances being used to create Christlike interactions? In Psalm 40:1, The Bible calls us to “wait patiently” which some say closer translates to “eager anticipation”. In Basketball, dad always taught me to be ready to jump in, get the pass, or make a move, no one will pass you a ball if you don’t stand looking ready to get it, and do something with it. Are you letting your comfort stop you from being ready to get the next moves from God? Are you making a difference even as you wait? Psalm 40:1 “I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.” (NASB) James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭ “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (NASB) 1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭58‬ ‭ “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (NASB) Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭ “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” (NASB)