Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Alabama Baptist
Search
Close
The Alabama Baptist
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Classifieds
  • Free Email Newsletter

Rashional Thoughts: When God’s call is clear, why do we sometimes have to wait?

  • January 24, 2023
  • Jennifer Davis Rash
  • Latest News, Rashional Thoughts
man in black pants and pair of brown leather lace-up shoes sitting on brown carpeted stairs inside room
Unsplash photo

Rashional Thoughts: When God’s call is clear, why do we sometimes have to wait?

In the end, we all desire for our lives to have mattered — that we had value and made a positive difference along the way.

Some seasons provide ample opportunity for us to thrive and sense success; other moments drag us down with discouragement and disappointment.

Still, God is working through it all, and we are growing into the person needed for the next phase of our assignment.

If we don’t give up or become impatient and take a different route, we will get to see what God has been up to and be privileged to be part of it.

‘Whose plans are you following?’

Author and Bible study leader Richard Blackaby explains it clearly in “The Inspired Leader: 101 Biblical Reflections for Becoming a Person of Influence.”

He says, “God is positioning His servants in crucial roles throughout the marketplace so they can impact peoples’ lives globally, change their world and uplift His name.

“God placed you where you are for a purpose,” Blackaby writes.

“Do you know what it is? You may have plans for your career and for your company, but God has one too. Whose plans are you following?”

So often we let our preferences and our desire to quickly achieve our goals overrule the more methodical and purposeful path God intends.

We push for a packed schedule, sold-out event and all-in support.

We may indeed have a clear vision of God’s call on our lives, but the temptation always exists to take charge and determine within our own minds how to live out the call.

Praying through every step while calmly and confidently waiting on the Lord can be an exercise in discipline and fortitude.

In our task-oriented, achievement-driven society, it is difficult to move at a slower, strategic pace, especially when we are evaluated at every level by how influential, how engaged and how popular our efforts are.

How can they not see it?

At the same time, it can be agonizing trying to understand why others can’t see the value of what we know God has clearly called us to share with them.

How can they not see it? How can they not get involved? How can they not carve out time in their schedule to participate in the service project, discipleship opportunity or outreach activity? Why won’t they get trained?

Why would they miss out on ordering the newly published book or Bible study curriculum?

What keeps them from fully supporting the cause that is so important to the group? Can’t they see how vital it is?

Why would they not want to participate when it makes sense to us?

Believe me, I’ve sat with that last question a lot through the years, but when I think through it objectively, I remember how complex life is for all of us.

Every situation is different and each person walks through various seasons of life that require a  triage mentality.

Limited capacity

We can’t truly know the weight another person shoulders, nor can we know all he or she is attempting to juggle.

It’s like the saying goes, we can’t really understand unless we’ve walked in their shoes.

Our mental, emotional and physical capacities all fall within different limits — but limits exist for all of us.

We also need to learn and grow through specific experiences to be ready for the full extent of God’s call on our lives, and that takes time.

So, instead of fretting about what isn’t happening yet or who isn’t present, what if we took the opposite approach?

What if we changed our focus?

What if we focused our energy on staying in tune with the Lord and looking for His guidance every day and with each step?

What if we poured our energy into developing and polishing our skills for the areas we’ve been called?

What if we trusted the Lord with what thriving, succeeding and influencing means in our lives? What if we fully invested in those in front of us?

Instead of looking around at all the ones not participating, let’s keep our attention on those God has given us to love and help equip for their next steps.

Everyone matters — and each one of us can make a positive dent in the harshness of this world while glorifying the Lord and sharing about His grace. The key? Letting Him show us the way.

Share with others:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email

Latest News

  • Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 12
    Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 12
    February 6, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for February 12
    Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for February 12
    February 6, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Prattmont Baptist hosting 60th ministry anniversary
    Prattmont Baptist hosting 60th ministry anniversary
    February 5, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Rashional Thoughts: Debt forgiveness debate provides opportunity to share Christ

August 30, 2022

We all may know a young person who took advantage of the student loan option more for the cash infusion

Guest editorial: What if we see ‘once in a lifetime’ as opportunity and challenge?

July 26, 2022

By Carrie Brown McWhorter Content Editor, The Alabama Baptist Writing a “senior prophecy” was an annual  tradition at my high

Guest editorial: What might happen if God’s people truly cried out to Him?

June 21, 2022

Editor’s note — Editors, writers, photographers and a variety of other communicators from across the U.S. shared a press room,

Rashional Thoughts: Navigating ever-increasing worldwide strife, life stress

March 1, 2022

The people of Ukraine need our prayers; the fragility of the world in general needs our attention. Our U.S. elected

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Archived: Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Archived: Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos
  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy
  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
The Alabama Baptist
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 The Alabama Baptist, Inc.
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Email:
news@thealabamabaptist.org

About

  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Archived: Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Our Story
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Affiliations
  • Partner Links
  • Advertise
  • Internships
  • Find Churches
  • Classifieds
  • Archived: Special Resources
  • Special Events
  • Photo Galleries

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos
  • Latest News
  • Archive
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Editorials
  • Alabama News
  • Podcasts
  • Obituaries
  • Theology 101
  • Someone You Should Know
  • Rashional Thoughts
  • Persecuted Church
  • Heroes of the Faith
  • Reader Response
  • About Alabama
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy
  • Story Ideas
  • Staff Change or News Item
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Reader Submissions
  • What Are You Reading?
  • Obituary
  • Correction / Clarification
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service
  • Start a new subscription
  • Renew your subscription
  • Start a new gift subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Subscribe to the TAB News app
  • Update your subscriber list
  • Subscribe to Highlights
  • Register for online access
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage Account | Customer Service

Log In

Lost your password?

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel