“I have come to ignite a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!” Luke 12:49-50
“For when we arrived in Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were pressed from every direction -- conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus…” 2 Corinthians 7:6
When the Spirit of the Lord sets a fire in your heart to do a task, and then doesn’t provide the means or favour to get it done, you might be drawn into a transition phase. What’s the Lord doing? He’s checking your heart. Will you get discouraged, draw back, throw up your hands in despair? You have a choice: stop seeking – and turn to the pleasures of life (however wholesome they may be) – or keep seeking.
The former is only natural, but it simply sets you back or shipwrecks you. The latter is known as the fire of desperation because it just gets more uncomfortable to keep seeking in what seems like a fog. But in the desperation grows the fire of passion to see the job done. The growing passion is part of the plan. Be four things: expectant – that any moment can turn into the start of the job; hopeful – that your heart will encounter his abiding presence; persevere – to fulfil all duties and continue to feed your spirit; and ready – so don’t do the things that distract you from your goal.
Prayer: Father, help me believe that all your promises are “yes and Amen” in Jesus Christ; that you are on my side, you are with me and you are faithful to provide all of what I need to enable me to accomplish what you’ve shown me to do. Help me respond in faith by being expectant, hopeful, persevering and ready.