Crave

Living during the “in between”.  There are times in our lives when we are in a moment where we know something is coming, but we don’t know what it is.  Maybe we have received some news, and its full reveal and impact is yet to come.

“Hope sleeps without me
Her sweet dreams surround me,
But I'm left out
I'll need a reason
To believe, to feel”

A very good friend of mine is in one of these times.  The love of his life, who has battled and beaten cancer not just once, but twice, now faces its return yet a third time.  The doctor’s words, “It might be nothing, but we should check it out” do not bring hope in his situation.  They are words which leave that sick feeling in your stomach.  A simple procedure comes next, just to see if there is anything there.  And now he waits.  She waits.

“Hope is what we crave,
And that will never change 

So I stand and wait
I need a drop of grace
To carry me today,
A simple song to say 

It's written on my soul
Hope's what we crave”

Although it might have been easy to use Tom Petty’s “The Waiting” today, using that famous chorus, “The waiting is the hardest part”, or my man Bob Marley’s “Waiting In Vain”, but I thought this great selection from For King and Country offered something a little different.  Their song “Crave” speaks of this same yearning for hope and the challenge of waiting for God in a different way (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYq55gv-H2o).  These guys also have a great tune “Middle of Your Heart” which I really like too, and was my original introduction to their music.

“I won't turn to dust now
Let these tears rust now
On my face
Give me the spark now
To believe, to see”

Does worrying while we wait help?  Of course, there is that planning element which allows us to play out various scenarios, determining what actions we might take, depending on the outcome of a situation.  But there is also worry.  That is different.  It’s the heart-racing stress we feel while we wait, while we sit in fear of what is to come.  It can consume us as we anticipate the pain, heartache or disappointment that may be in store.

God’s Word offers us many encouragements for this waiting.

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.” (Psalm 130:5) 

“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)

I really like what this last one says.

“Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.” (1 Corinthians 1:7)

The implication that while we wait, there is this opportunity to use the spiritual gifts God has given to us; wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).  He offers these to us as tools to use while we wait.  I don’t see “worrying” on the list.  The greatest gift He gives is Hope.  He promises that through His Love for us, all will be well.  Although our definition of healing and answered prayers can often be different that what we expect, different from God’s definition of these, but believe.  They do come.

“It’s written on my soul
Hope’s what You gave”

So, please pray for my friend and his love.  Pray that their waiting will be one of waiting on the Lord, in peace, knowing that through Christ, all things are possible (Philippians 4:13).  Knowing that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).  Pray for their time of waiting, that Christ will be revealed.