“When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break.”Luke 5:6
What have you been waiting for God to do in your life? Does it seem like He has forgotten you? Have you wondered, “Why is God taking so long?
I am waiting on God
I know the opening title may have shocked some people, especially coming from a minister. If you have gone to church or hung around Christians for any amount of time, you may have heard someone say, “Wait on God.”
Some have used the phrase to sound overly spiritual or express their seemingly closeness to God. I will be the first to admit that I have used this phrase repeatedly because I thought it was the thing to say to let people know I was waiting on God.
Don’t get me wrong, we are to wait on God’s direction, but we are not to wait like we are waiting at a bus stop for bus 101 to arrive. When I talk about waiting I am talking about waiting like a server at a restaurant. A good server is constantly moving taken care of his customers while waiting for their meal.
I believe sitting around waiting on God to open some magic door or do all the work for us is the heart of many of our unanswered prayers. We have become victims to the phrase “I am waiting on God.”
Luke 5 gave me the answer to waiting.
In Luke 5, Jesus asks Peter to launch out into the deep waters and let down his nets for a catch of fish.
This challenged Peter’s thinking because it was customary for fisherman to fish at night. The reason for night fishing was because the fish did not come to the surface of the water during the day because of the heat. Fisherman would fish in the evening into the early morning when it was cooler for the fish to be closer to the surface.
Jesus was requesting for Peter to do something he had never done before. He asked him to break the rules for fishermen.
In the beginning Peter did what most of us would have done, He gave Jesus an excuse. After realizing who He was conversing with, he decided to take Jesus at His word and launch out into the deep water.
Peter only received his over flow when he took action. When he decided to take action something phenomenal happen, he caught a multitude of fish that his net broke. Not only did his net break, he called his partners and they filled both boats that they began to sink.
Stop waiting and take action
What if Peter would have decided to wait? He would have missed his catch of fish. What overflow blessings have you missed because you are still waiting on God to move?
If you are waiting for God to magically make your vision come to pass, you are terribly mistaken. If you are waiting for Him to do all the work while you reap the benefits, you have it twisted.
God has done all he is going to do. Just as Peter received his over flow, you can receive your overflow when you stop waiting on God and take action on the assignments He has given you.
Question: What do you need to stop waiting for God to do and take action? Leave a comment.
Image courtesy: freedigitalphotos.net
Skip Prichard says
I like your take on this and the call to action.
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks Skip. I wanted to approach it a different way because I have heard so many people including myself say, “I am waiting on God” and never move.
Cathy says
Bernard,
Loved the notes on goal setting and call to action. I am the children’s director at our church in South Florida and I thank you for your awesome website and its eye catching layout.
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks Cathy, I appreciate your comments. If you are interested, I do a presentation on goal setting for young people called “Goals Matter”. It is a very inspirational, interactive and instructional presentation.
Joe Abraham says
Powerful post, Bernard. It is actually not in our passive waiting but in our active participation that we see miracles right before our lives!
Bernard Haynes says
Joe, you hit the nail on the head it is our active participation that activates the power within us.
kimanzi constable says
Great post Bernard, some people wwait forever. We have to open our eyes and realize the Lord is working through different things indirectly.
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks Kimanzi. I have been one of those people that waited too long. Since I have realized my vision from God, my eyes are wide open to what He wants to do in and through me.
Dan Black says
Great post and passage. Many times God is saying “go” and “do” while we think we should be waiting. I think this is why it’s so important to always seek and be close to God.
Bernard Haynes says
I appreciate your comment. God gives us the green light to pursue our vision , but sometimes we stay on red.
Lincoln Parks says
This is so very timely Bernard..God granted me a wish that I have wanted for a long time and said now to spread your wings and fly.. I’m still reluctant.. What more can we ask of him. He grants our prayers in his time, we just have to act on faith and do the necessary work. Wow.. Awesome post.
Bernard Haynes says
You said it Lincoln. Keep doing your thing.
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks for the comment Susan. I know that you are going to comeback more powerful than you were before. I have been praying for you.