The View from My Window: Expectation
It was Saturday and I was looking forward to some uninterrupted “coffee time.” Trying to determine where to best enjoy the morning, I poked my head out the back door and checked out the screened in porch. It was still a little cool out and the sun hadn’t quite made it to that side of the house. I decided that the kitchen table would be the best spot and it made reading my Bible easier, as I could prop it open on the table. I had just changed course to head for the table when I sensed the Lord saying, “Come sit on the porch with me. I have something to show you.” I attempted to list the reasons why the kitchen table was a better choice, but each time, the prompting returned. So, I gathered up my things and headed to the porch.
I settled in and reached to pick up my Bible. The following conversation ensued:
God: “Not yet. Wait for what I am going to show you.”
I sat in anticipation. What could it be? Would it be a herd of deer passing through the forest? Or perhaps an eagle or a hawk would land in a nearby tree? Would it be something grandiose or something small that I might miss if I wasn’t diligent?
I began to fidget.
God: “You’re so impatient.”
Me: “I guess I am.”
God: “Be patient, it will come.”
Just then, a beautiful pair of cardinals landed on the cement in front of the porch. They stayed for a little while, picking at the birdseed that had fallen from the feeder onto the ground.
Me: “That was cool, was that it?”
God: “They are beautiful aren’t they? But, that wasn’t it. Just wait.”
“Wow,” I thought to myself, “I wonder what He is going to show me?!”
I sat for a few more minutes before doubt started to creep in. Was it really God that speaks to me or just the product of an overactive imagination? What if I didn’t see anything, would my faith be any less strong?
Contemplating the questions that suddenly bombarded my mind, I looked out at the view before me. “It’s so beautiful,” I thought. “Thank you God for this beautiful view and for all your creation. Even if I don’t see anything, I am content to just sit and spend time with you. I know that you are real and that you love me.” A peace settled over me.
God: “That’s it. That’s what I wanted to show you.”
Such a simple, yet profound message. We often have preconceived ideas of how and when God should move. We get so busy and want to run through the motions and check off the boxes, when all that He desires is to spend time with us. He wants to fill us with His peace and show us that we are loved by Him. He desires our praise and won’t share our affections with any other. He desires for us to see the beauty where He has us and that our faith shouldn’t be shaken because things don’t look or come about the way we think they should.
“My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away” Song of Solomon 2:10
In closing, this song by David Ruis comes to mind:
Jesus I need to know true love
Deeper than the love found on earth
Take me into the King’s chamber
Cause my love to mature
Let me know the kisses of Your mouth
Let me feel Your warm embrace
Let me smell the fragrance of Your touch
Let me see Your lovely face
Take me away with You
Even so, Lord, come
I love You Lord
I love You more than life
My heart, my flesh yearn for You, Lord
To love You is all I can do
You have become my sole passion
Cause my love to be true.
***
Jesus is calling out to you today, “Come sit with me, I have something to show you…”Will you listen?
