"I, the Lord, will make it happen."

Isaiah 60:22 has been running through my head this past week; honestly, I'm not sure why. But the phrase, "I, the Lord, will make it happen " seems to creep in at every moment, perhaps to remind me that things will be completed in the Lord's perfect timing. I've been reading the book Anonymous; Jesus' hidden years and yours by Alicia Britt Chole and it's been insightful. The context of the book is written around Jesus' temptations in the desert before his ministry begins (Matthew 4:1-11). Alicia writes about how Jesus could resist temptation because of his hidden years, his devotion to the Lord, and the character built during the 30 years Jesus humbly and patiently waited for God to tell him, "Now is the time my Son". She talked about how much of Jesus' life was 90% hidden and 10% public. That's a huge difference and that's a long time for someone to grow in strength and maturity in the Lord.

I suppose this verse runs tangent to what I've been reading in Alicia's book, untimely, Jesus' ministry and our own lives are brought to perfection in the Lord's timing and not our own. I am sure it was extremely hard for Jesus to wake up every day asking, "Father, is today the day?" and day after day to be told, "No, my Son." But here's the thing, Jesus' faith did not falter because of his desire to begin his ministry and the Lord told him no. Jesus' faith did not falter because he knew that what the Lord has started, He will bring to completion (Philippians 1:6). Jesus knew what he was destined for and because of that promise, he could patiently wait in the Lord's timing. Hard, I know. How often do we want to rush into things because God is taking too long? Because we think we know best or because things are going the way we want them to.

Alicia says it best, "God is worthy to be waited on, whether or not we hear anything, whether or not we see anything, whether or not our dreams are fulfilled... God who is worthy of waiting upon is equally worthy of being entrusted with our dreams... Anonymous seasons are the surprising source of enduring spiritual strength. Savor the season! Respect its potential. When graced with hidden years, wait because he is worthy, keep the waters of your spirit sweet, be still, and grow."

Waiting on the Lord can be extremely difficult, I know. It seems I am in a never-ending season of waiting on the Lord, and yet, when I reflect back I can see God moving in amazing ways in my life. He's taken me places that I, in my own strength, could have never gotten anywhere. He's provided, God only opportunities in my life that are bringing me one step closer to where He is calling me to go. It's hard to be patient. In a world where instant gratification is so easily accessible, it's difficult to be denied that instant release. Here's what I've learned and what Alicia touches on, in our waiting seasons we have the choice to submit to the Lord's will, to put our strength in Him, to embrace being hidden so that when we emerge we're filled with His strength and wisdom to face what's to come.

I've been painfully learning how to submit to the Lord. Yes, painfully because for the past year, I've been trying to do things on my own. I've been trying to do things as I've wanted, justifying them with my excuses. And I'll be honest, choosing to do things on my own has made my life challenging. And the Lord has been gracious enough to help me along the way. I've learned a lot that I might not have and yet, I can say that I wish I would have taken the road to submission much sooner. I'm here now, and while it's still challenging, there's such a peace that washes over you. As Isaiah tells us, the Lord, in His perfect timing, will make it happen.

My friends, whatever it might be that you are waiting in, whatever it might be that you're hidden in, remember this, the Lord has not forgotten you. The Lord has a perfect plan and if we're willing to submit to it, He'll bring about more than we could have ever asked for. Jesus waited 30 years before he was given permission to start his ministry and that only lasted 3 years. And yet, look at what the Lord/Jesus accomplished! Jesus was patient in his hidden years because he knew what he was destined for and that the Lord would make it happen. My friends, we have that same promise. As Christians, we've been called to be His children and to go and make disciples. Our purpose is to allow the Lord's will to take over, whatever that might be, and whoever he chooses to do so.

Will we have our own dreams, desires, and passions? Of course, and here's what I have to say on that. When we're walking with the Lord, our dreams, desires, and passions align with the Lord's will. When we align with him he will transform our hearts to become even more like his and we end up with even bigger, God-fueled, dreams that surpass our human capabilities.

My friends, I implore you, trust in the Lord's timing. I know it's difficult. I know it's hard to surrender. I know you'll get met with temptations, people who don't understand, and so much more. This I can promise, in this short time of the Lord doing radical work in my life, the submission and surrender has interestingly enough given me the strength to persevere. Because I am choosing to trust and believe in who my God is and that He is worthy to wait on.

Isaiah 60:22

"The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in this time I will do this swiftly."