What Are You Waiting On?

God hears your cry.

As we continue in our Into the Current series, Pastor Eli Nelson shares a powerful and timely word on taking a step of faith even when you don’t have all the answers. God is always doing a new thing, but we have to be able and willing to discern and follow Him wherever He leads.

“This is what the Lord says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters,¹⁷ who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: ¹⁸ 'Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'” Isaiah 43:16-19 (NIV)

Only God knows what battles you’re ready for.

“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ ¹⁸ So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.” Exodus 13:17-18 (NIV)

In order to move into what God has for you, you have to be willing to leave some things behind. In order to fight the right battles at the right time, you have to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Many of us are ready to fight tomorrow’s battles when we still have to finish the fight of yesterday’s battles. God wants to drown out what is trying to overtake you. You may not always go the fast route, but it will be the better route.

God’s leading isn’t always in a straight line.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon.'” Exodus 14:1-2 (NIV)

Even when you feel like you’re repeating steps, you’re still in the leading of the Holy Spirit. Your awareness shows that you’re sensitive to the Holy Spirit. This life is a process of sanctification, and sometimes that looks like taking some steps back in order to move forward in Christ. God will bring you back to a place because He knows what lingers behind you – a life of bondage. He wants you to be free of what is trying to keep you bound and keep you from your God-given purpose.

“If you stay stuck in what God has done in the past, then you’ll miss what He is doing now.” – Pastor Eli Nelson

God has a plan.

“As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.” Exodus 14:10 (NIV)

Have you ever needed to cry out to God? You’re in a good place when you cry out to the Lord. He will help you when you cry out to Him. But there also comes a time in your life when you have to forget the former things and you have to move on if you want to enter into the promised land.

“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.’ ¹⁵ Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.'” Exodus 14:13-15 (NIV)

What are you waiting for?

God will not take the step for you. Sometimes you need to take a step of faith without a direct Word from God. God is waiting on us to take action. When you find yourself asking, “God what do I do? Which way should I go?” Take a step. We don’t step out into uncertainty. We step out knowing God is there right behind us. You’ve got to move.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 (KJV)

He’s the lamp unto our feet. Sometimes we only see what’s right in front of us. It’s okay if we don’t have a 5-year plan – we just need to trust Him enough to take the next step. God will only steer a moving ship. Even if you take a wrong step, God will direct your path. The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). The step is a faith knowing that the One who called you will be the One who catches you.

Quit looking, keep moving

Once you take a step, you’ll find yourself in the current. There is a miracle in your moving. The timing will never be perfect. While we’re waiting on God, God is actually waiting on us. Waiting on the Lord isn’t for direction, it’s for strength. Strength to take the step of faith you need to take. God is making a way, but you have to walk in it.

Move on!

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