“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.” (Psalm 130:5)
I am impatient. It takes everything in me to wait on the Lord. I started off the new year eager to get back to the basics in life: time with God, time with my family, time to write. I overhauled my home office, I painted it, and purchased a cute used chair. I created a place where I could have a relaxed and inviting quiet time with the Lord. . . and then I expected a new level of instant intimacy.
This weekend I became frustrated with my “new hand.” I had my four finger joints replaced November 4 with fancy new silicone joints, and have been out of my splint for only two weeks. But I could not assemble anything . I couldn’t put a picture in a frame or use a screwdriver.
My husband said “Don’t worry about it. I will do it.” But I tossed the object aside in exasperation and whined “But I want to do it!”
Perhaps someday I will be able to do the things I desire. Perhaps not. I have yet to see what my new fingers will be able to do in the long term. The fact is, although I gained straight fingers and a grasp again, I’ve lost a lot of function in how they bend from the hands. I have a new splint to hold down one of the fingers where the joint is permanently crooked. The therapist says this splint is a “lifer.” I have enough “lifers” and don’t want this one.
Times like this we must surrender over our plans to God and allow Him to take over things. It is easy to believe that if God would just cooperate with our prearranged schedule of events and circumstances, life would be simple. Our motives are good, right?
In Exodus 32, Aaron gets caught up in the rationale of the Israelites who have escaped enslavement and now believe Moses is taking too long on the mountain talking to God. They want an idol to worship and they want it now! God is not sympathetic with their lack of patience.
Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Many plans are in our hearts. We may have great motives, faithful hearts, and enduring ministries, but despite our plans, the Lord’s purpose always prevails. The sooner we can turn over our heart’s plans and ask God to mold them and development into His purpose, the easier our days will become. Thank goodness the Lord can still use us as we are a work in progress.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen and is the founder of Rest Ministries and has lived with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia since 1993. She resides in San Diego with her husband and seven-year-old son.

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