I’m baking a raisin-apple pie today. The arrival of Fall made me long for the smell of cinnamon and warm spices. At this moment, I’m waiting for the timer to sound, so I know I can take it out of the oven. Usually, when I bake an apple pie, I get a little impatient and apprehensive, because I never know how it will turn out until I cut into it. I’ve had a lot of apple pie successes, but I’ve had a few that were not. Sometimes the filling is too runny; sometimes the crust is too dry. Baking is truly a science and an art. It is also an excellent primer for patience. None of us like to wait. Whether it is waiting for the dough to rise, pie crust to brown, or for life problems to be resolved, I think we can all agree that waiting is hard.
Waiting can also be painfully heartbreaking when it seems the answers never come. During these waiting times, it is easy for us to become focused on what God isn’t doing instead of what He IS doing.
These are the times when we must TETHER OURSELVES TO GOD’S LOVE AND WHO HE IS, RATHER THAN TO AN EXPECTED OUTCOME. If not, we are setting ourselves up for debilitating disappointment.
Everyone has moments of disappointment. But, be careful when disappointment starts to take root, and instead of good fruit, you begin to display the fruit of unbelief and are soon derailed on your journey to fulfilling your divine purpose. Your intimacy with God will suffer and you will cease to give Him glory for the things you DO have in your life.
Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” When our disappointment breeds hopelessness, our spiritual immune system gets weak, and it’s easy to just quit! But quitting is not an option. Never forget…HE is our hope…always, He will not fail. Write this down and keep it where you can see it often. 1 Kings 8:56: “There has not failed one word of all His good promises”.
When life disappoints, we want to know why. We feel that we need answers. But, you DON’T need to have all your questions answered to move on in faith. Give up your right to understand, and accept God’s peace. Look at Paul’s admonition in Philippians chapter 4.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
In this setting, the Greek word for ‘surpasses” means “is superior to”. It’s a beautiful realization to know that God’s peace is FAR superior to understanding. So, let’s choose to lean into Him in the middle of this crazy, chaotic, fear-filled world.
I’m about to have a slice of raisin-apple pie, served with a big cup of gratefulness for all God has done in my life. I’d love for you join me. Love,g
but it’s quite tasty and really smells like Fall!
Prayer Lord, I have waited a long time to see Your hand move in my situation. The world around me offers no hope, only chaos and confusion. Help me keep my eyes on You and lean on Your promises. I want to be grateful, even when my heart is hurting and my body grows weary. You are truly a good Father who gives good gifts to His children. Let me be reminded that Your peace is a gift that passes understanding. I choose to trust you, Lord, even when I can’t make sense of all I see around me. Give me strength to steward well this faith journey I am walking through. Amen
Living on Purpose 
Wow, it’s been a minute since I last posted. Hopefully, I can do better and connect more often.
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