Are You In A Holding Pattern?

Ever feel like you are just going around in circles simply trying to get from one moment to the next? We’ve all been there at some tyme or another. Reminds me of how a plane sometymes has to circle the airport right? They are stuck in a holding pattern until one of two things happens; the plane gets told to land by the tower or it runs out of fuel and lands the hard way. In your life, it isn’t much different. The holding pattern is ok as a temporary measure to gather your bearings and figure out the next step but not meant to be a permanent solution.

There will be tymes in our lives as Christians that we will have to learn to trust God in the small things as well as the big things. God will allow a painful situation or a painful circumstance in our life to “swallow us up.” This season in our spiritual growth is a holding pattern. We can’t move to the left or the right. All we can do is sit. We’re all in a waiting room of some sort – between where we’re at and where we’re headed.  This is so God can have our undivided attention and speak to us. And It’s how you respond in those waiting rooms that determine where you’ll go. Today blog is based on Habakkuk 2:1-3 and 2 Peter 3:8-9 to display how God is everlasting and perpetually in control, even as we go through seasons of waiting.

I begin this blog by acknowledging the tension that exists between the two prevailing approaches to waiting on God. It seems that we are faced with the decision to either, “Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10),” or to “Go get your own goat (Luke 15:28-32).” While many of our waiting rooms are a result of our failure to activate what God has already given us, there are still tymes where we truly are waiting for God to make something right in our lives. Using these Scriptures as a foundation, Here are three frames of reference to show us what God is doing while we are waiting on Him.

God’s transportation system operates through hubs and spokes. The airline industry is set up using a “Hub and Spoke” model. That is, if you are traveling somewhere that does not offer a direct flight, you will need to fly to a “hub” airport and use a connecting flight to finally get to your destination. You may have experienced something similar in your own life. God will often take you somewhere that feels like it’s opposite to where you are going. “Often tymes you have to go through (the process) to get to (the place) because there’s something God wants to do in you first.”

God doesn’t put you in a holding pattern to punish you, but to protect you. When you’re stuck in the process between the potential and the perfection, you can find yourself caught in another level of frustration. Habakkuk 2 says that God will certainly not delay. Yet sometymes, you can find yourself in God’s holding patterns, where the destination is in sight, but God is taking you the long way around instead of landing you when you would like. As Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3 NIV, God is never slow to respond to us. Although it may seem like it, He is never putting us in a holding pattern to punish us, but rather to protect us. God’s delays are not denials. Continuing with the flight analogy, God cannot land you at your destinations until He determines you are ready. He has the vantage point to determine whether or not the conditions are clear enough to land. God challenged us to believe that it’s better to be late for the destination He has for us than to not arrive at all, or to not be ready when we get there. God is simply making sure that we are prepared to maximize what He has prepared for us at our destination!

Trusting in God means crossing over the supernatural date line. When you find yourself doing all that you can do, praying all that you can pray, but you are still waiting on God, it’s easy to ask, “O Lord, are you not from everlasting (Habakkuk 1:12)?” In fact, God is everlasting. He exists outside of our understanding of tyme. 2 Peter 3:8 even says that a single day for us is likened to one thousand years for God and one thousand years for us is likened to a single day for God. My dream is to take my family on a trip to Australia, and while researching the co$t, different excursions to do while we’re there, hotels amenities and mostly the travel tyme.

I rediscovered that we would cross over the “International Date Line.” Since Australia is 14 hours ahead of our tyme zone. It means and this I find amazing is that if we this Friday at 6am it would mean we would get in Australia tomorrow, but it would only be 8pm here in Phila. What is the connection my brother you ask? Well I’m glad you asked! Since God exists in eternity, our prayers cause us to cross over a “supernatural date line.” We often worry because we simply do not see how God is going to bring about what we believe He has prepared for us. However, Romans 4:17 states that God “gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they are.” You may have questions about how God is going to orchestrate your circumstances to fulfill His promises for your tomorrow. But through His word and the power of His Spirit, He will carry you trough to tomorrow!

What can the Lord tell you about tomorrow? What are your greatest questions as you wait for tomorrow? Using His word and the power of His Spirit, what confidence is God calling you to walk in today? When we’re deep down in the midst of a difficult situation, God can talk to us. When He has our undivided attention, He can show us things about ourselves that we might not otherwise have seen.

A Few of God’s Holding Patterns:

1.             When you are sick in your physical body and you have prayed but God has not healed you yet, you are in a holding pattern.

2.            When you are having problems with your children and you have put them on the altar, but God has not delivered them yet, you are in a holding pattern.

3.            When you have been praying for the salvation of a loved one and they have not been saved yet, you are in a holding pattern.

4.            When you are in a broken relationship and you have given it over to God, but it has not been restored yet, you are in a holding pattern.

5.            When the doors slam shut before you can knock on them, you are in a holding pattern.

When we are deep in the belly of a difficult situation, there are no interruptions. God has our undivided attention. All we can do is sit, think, meditate, and pray. We cannot run from God because there are no mountains that are high enough, valleys low enough, rooms that are dark enough, or places that are hidden enough from Him.

We must remember to praise Him while we’re waiting & remember 3 things:

       The pattern has a purpose.

       The pattern has a plan.

       The pattern has a process.

When we’re placed in a place where our faith is tested, and the answer to that petition is not immediately forthcoming, we have to be still and know that He is God. Fear not. Trust! He got it. The answer is on the way. So stop struggling and start listening, praying and trusting. He’ll keep you right where you are until you can clearly hear Him say, “I love you.”

“When God is silent, He is not still. Trust Him.” ~ Pastor Tony Evans

Ever Wish For A Do-Over?

Have you ever wanted a “do over?” You know, hit the reset button and give ‘er another shot?  Unfortunately, we can’t take back ugly words spoken in anger and haste, nor can we wipe from history’s pages mistakes we’ve made and hurts or wrongs we’ve inflicted in the process. Tyme and opportunities lost can never be bought back. But our God is a God of second, and third, and seventy tymes seven chances Matthew 18: 21-22. The moment we put our faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation, we became a new creation in Him 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15. This change is so dramatic that Jesus spoke of it as being born again John 3:3-8.

With His grace, we can start over every tyme we repent of our sins and ask Him for forgiveness. We can put behind us mistakes of the past and reach forward to our brilliant future Philippians 3:12-14 as His children and ambassadors. He can wash away our sins, turn our sorrow into joy and praise, and renew a right spirit within us Psalm 30; Psalm 51.

He divided tyme into day and night Genesis 1:1-5, so that we could remember not to carry over hurts, grudges, or anger into the next day Ephesians 4:26. We can cast our cares on Him 1 Peter 5:7 each night as our head sinks into the pillow, and we can praise His name each morning as we realize that His love is as faithful as the sunrise. Each day is His special gift to us, worthy of rejoicing over Psalm 118:24, and His mercies are new every morning Lamentations 3:22-23.

Meditating on His Word is the perfect way to renew our mind Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23. Rather than letting the world dictate what we think and how we act, we can keep our eyes fixed on Him and focus on His light, love and goodness Philippians 4:6-10. If we ask Him to, He will align our mind more and more with the mind of Christ 1 Corinthians 2, being conformed to His image even if through sufferings Philippians 3:9-10.

Like Paul, we should be torn between the desire to be here on earth with our loved ones, serving them and others while we seek to do God’s will, and the desire to trade in this ailing body and corrupted heart for the glorified, sinless being that awaits us Phil. 1: 20-24; 2 Corinthians 5: 1-8; Romans 8:18-23. Our ultimate renewal shall come in our holy new body, with our new name Revelation 3:12, living eternally with Him in the new Jerusalem Revelation 21:2.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Posted by Laurie Collett

Great Leaders Start Off As Great Followers

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) These words were first offered to a church who was struggling with what to do about a particular issue.  I’m not sure what you are struggling with but I am sure what we are all supposed to be doing right now.  Sometymes we forget.  Let’s remind each other with this simple invitation.  “Come, Follow With Me.”

I have heard So many people suggest that Jesus was the greatest leader ever, and you won’t get an argument out of me! I do not dispute that point! But I would suggest, to you, that He was the greatest follower ever. He came to do His Father’s will, to the point of death. He learned obedience to his Father, even though He was con-substantial, co-eternal, and co-equal. Yet, he willingly submitted to the Father’s will. He didn’t even want to do it, necessarily, and essentially asked to get out of it just before the crucifixion. But, in the end, it was not about His will, but his Father’s.

A decision to let someone else lead you – I think this is an important aspect for us to realize. We often tymes think that we follow others because there is no other choice or because we have to since we are not the leader. However, it is still a choice – we don’t have to follow (although there may be negative consequences if we don’t). There is also a choice in “how” we follow. For so many of us being a follower does not come easy. We are born leaders in many respects, yet I totally agree that in order to be a good leader, one must be a great follower. For me, humility is the key. We must not see ourselves as always having all the right answers. We must be willing to listen and consider others opinions. We must be willing to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

We can learn this if we look into practices of combat forces and their military life. There subordinate obeys his supervisor and follows his command without any reservation. Our civil life could be much more different. But, the basics and principles of following are all the same. At tymes, followers may not understand the logic behind the leader’s command in the short run. But, he will be able to understand the reasoning beyond his leader’s action over a period of tyme. Immaturity, impatience of the follower should never come as a hindrance to obeying the leader’s decision.

I believe that the whole problem in the earth itself began with Adam disobeying Lord’s command. When he was instructed not to eat the fruit, he failed. And, there began the problem. History teaches us that disobedience can lead to greater catastrophe than anything else. And at tymes it is hard because nearly everyone sees him or herself as a leader.

But where are the followers? I contend that if you want to be a great leader, you must first become a great follower. Although it is rarely discussed, this is where almost all of history’s greatest leaders got their start.

• Joshua followed Moses for more than forty years before he led the children of Israel into the promised land.
• Elisha served Elijah for ten years before he took up his master’s mantle and went on to perform even more miracles.
• The Apostle Peter followed Jesus for three years—and made a lot of mistakes—before he and his fellow-disciples “turned the world upside down” (see Acts 17:6 NIV).

Though I don’t have tyme to develop it here, I would likewise contend that history’s worst leaders never learned to follow. As a result, they became tyrants, making the lives of their own followers miserable. So what does a great follower look like? I would suggest great followers share at least five characteristics:

1. They are clear. They understand their role. You can’t be a good follower unless you have clearly identified the leader. While you may be a leader in your own realm, everyone has a boss—including you. Great followers not only accept this fact but embrace it.
2. They are obedient. While obedience may be a politically incorrect concept, it is essential for organizational effectiveness. No one should be allowed to give orders who can’t obey orders. This is how great leaders model to their own followers the standards of acceptable behavior.
3. They are servants. This is crucial. Great followers are observant. They notice what needs to be done to help the leader accomplish his or her goals. Then they do it—joyfully, without grumbling or complaining.
4. They are humble. Great followers don’t make it about them. They are humble. They shine the light on the leader. They make their own boss look good—especially in front of his or her boss.
5. They are loyal. Great followers never speak ill of their boss in public. This doesn’t mean they can’t disagree or even criticize. It just means that they don’t do it in public. Great followers understand that public loyalty leads to private influence.
6. They are patient. Whereas great followers might be called to be the next leader, they realize it’s not their tyme yet. Great followers recognize that God is sovereign: He sees it all, and He will advance them in His tyme, not theirs.

I feel like I have only scratched the surface. If you want to be a great leader, begin by asking, “How can I be a better follower?” or “How can I make my leader more successful?” I think great followers own their leader’s vision. Yea, they have their own personal dreams but they know that in submitting to another vision they will be greater prepared to carry out their own in the future. I love the concept of servant leadership and the imperative of being a good follower. I do think, however, that there are at few tymes people who have leadership desires and abilities first and have to learn to follow later. They wrestle like Jacob for their blessings. They have potential to be tyrants, but they can become outstanding leaders if they learn to serve through the school of hard knocks. Peter would be an example, I think? But it’s so rare one becomes a leader this way!

As leaders we can also ALWAYS be followers. I know some of the greatest leaders who still follow. In fact in today’s democracy, we are constantly looking for leaders who will step up and make the tough decisions based on following the wishes of the people. I was a US ARMY Drill Sergeant, and it was so tough at tymes. I still followed the methods of some of the best NCOs’ out there… and of course give credit where credit is due. Thanks SFC D. Nelson!

As a Drill Sergeant:
As a leader for my soldiers on and off the battle field… I will always still be a follower of men who are great leaders on and off the battle field.
As a Christian:
As a leader for Christ… I will always be a follower of Christ

Jesus was a fantastic leader, as evidenced by his following even today. And He showed us the perfect example of how to be a follower as well.