"The Gift of Waiting"... Waiting presents an enormous challenge because we live in an "I-can-fix-it, hurry up" kind of world. It's easy to believe that most things in life can be made better by taking action. Now. Sometimes, however, it just isn't so. In fact, if we can welcome waiting, it presents us gifts-spiritual ones-whether it is ordinary waiting or crucial waiting for life-changing kinds of news. I'm "living in wait" as I say goodbye to Sligo Church on May 12 after 15 years of ministry, pack up my household goods, and join my husband to begin a new chapter in our lives in Northern California (we will miss our Sligo family so much!). I'm waiting to find our new home. I'm waiting to add new friends and colleagues to my circle of belonging. I'm waiting to see what new opportunities for ministry the Lord has in store for me. At times over the past several months, it's been hard to welcome the waiting. It meant I had to surrender my grip and exercise more of my trust muscles. I've discovered that I need to involve God in my life in ways I haven't before. He's taking me well beyond my comfort zone and into new depths of faith. Have you ever found yourself waiting for something major to happen in your life all the while consoling yourself with the thought, "God's will be done"? Instead of bringing peace, did that phrase conjure up dour faces and tragic inner voices announcing less than good news? Most of us have had such an experience. Why must we hang on to the notion that God's true will for us is more often about suffering or loss? We rarely hear, "It must have been God's will that I got that promotion at work" or "It must have been God's will that I had gratifying and loving sex" or "It must have been God's will that I got into that graduate program." Is it any wonder that we have trouble trusting? Waiting, understood as a gift, gives us an opportunity to practice trusting God as the One "who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (1 Tim. 6:17). I'm thinking differently now about all the unknowns ahead in a new place, that a new ministry and setting to do it in is God's will, that Dave and I experience a deeper kind of joy or profound resurrection. This waiting has reminded me that, as disciples together on a mission to build God's kingdom, we need practice in understanding that His will for us is always life-giving and positive. God is on our side! The next time you are waiting for something important, think of it as a built-in opportunity to put flesh and bones on your trust, to put words into practice, to experience the blessings of God's mercy. Wayne Muller, a pastor and counselor, suggests that when we think of the words, "Thy will be done," we substitute the words, "Thy love be done." Try it out for yourself. It will change your level of trust in God and the quality of your waiting. Trust God to lead you to far greater things than you could have ever imagined. His love will always find us. Thanks be to God! Rebecca Brillhart Pastor for Discipleship | 
