Hopeful Waiting
Starting something new begins with inspiration. But for the vast majority of folks, inspiration is not something they can just turn on like a faucet. Inspiration is something we stumble into, something that grabs us and refuses to let go. Try to think of the last time you needed inspiration. How frustrating was it for you when nothing came. You had a paper due the next day and the Word document open on your computer screen looked like a polar bear in a snowstorm. The blankness on the screen mirrored the blankness in your mind, and the harder you tried to dredge up some reserve of inspiration within yourself, nothing came, not one blessed thing came.
But then you stopped. And you stood up and stretched. And you went to the window. And you breathed in the crisp air. And you waited – but it wasn’t the kind of waiting you were doing while sitting at the computer. That kind of waiting was accusatory waiting, the kind that happens when you are struck in traffic. This other kind of waiting, the waiting you do while breathing in crisp air and expanding your lungs and feeling your whole chest leap outward, is hopeful waiting, the kind of waiting that happens when your friend’s flight just landed and you’re standing at baggage claim.
You breathed and you waited and you floated on hope there by your window. And the inspiration that you were trying so hard to find found you instead.
I hope, LORD. My whole being hopes, and I wait for God’s promise. My whole being waits for my Lord—more than the night watch waits for morning; yes, more than the night watch waits for morning! (Psalm 130:5-6 CEB)
Dear God, you are with me in frustration and in exultation. As I seek inspiration for new things in my life, help me not to press or browbeat myself. Rather, help me to stop and let the inspiration happen; in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.
This post was adapted from Devo180, Adam Thomas's daily devotional site. Adam also blogs at Where the Wind and is the author of Digital Disciple.