Seeking and Waiting

There have been more than a few times in the past when I have intentionally drawn aside as a means of seeking after the presence of God.  It is something common to all of us who love God and who seek to live faithful lives.  The Word of God even gives us encouragement in this practice as it says, "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near..."  (Isaiah 55:6)  When we experience those moments of overwhelming difficulty, or when our soul is filled with deep longing, the most sensible thing we know to do is to do whatever is necessary to position ourselves to be open to His presence.     

Yet, even as the Word calls us to seek, it also calls us to be still and to wait.  There are numerous places in the Psalms where we hear a Word that tells us, "Wait for the Lord...wait for the Lord."  (Psalm 27:14)  While there is value in both ways of knowing the presence of God in our lives, most of us find it easier to do the seeking than the waiting.  Perhaps, one of the reasons is that the seeking causes us to feel like we are doing something and that we have some control over the outcome.   

Waiting for the Spirit of the Lord is more difficult for us because it puts us in a position of total dependence which means giving away control of the outcome.  Waiting also requires a stillness that goes beyond what is physical.  It requires a stillness that quiets the inner voices which distract us from being able to focus on the moment which is upon us.  Such inner stillness is necessary for those who wait with expectation and faith for the coming of the Spirit into the inner places of the heart.