Practicing What You Preach

Do you ever struggle to practice what you preach?  I do.


As people who work with college students we often find ourselves asking them tough questions, thinking with them about the ways they think and/or approach their life and even challenge them to consider important changes that might dramatically impact the way they live.


One of the biggest challenges today's student struggles with is waiting... They've grown up in an instant society and are not used to hearing the words 'not yet.'  In many ways 'no' is more of a relief than 'not yet' simply because the issue at hand can be quickly put to rest.  But 'not yet' involves waiting... the issue remains open, without resolution, pending... 



And it's one thing for students to wait on the decision of a parent, professor, classmate, roommate, co-worker or friend... but it's a whole other thing to have to wait on God.  They know they can follow-up with, pester or event stalk members of the aforementioned classifications... but when it comes to God, they're not quite sure where that 'line in the sand' is... so they're often forced to wait.  


And the same is true of us.


One of our ministries has had some major changes in the works for close to 8 months now... and SO much of it has required waiting on God for the details.  As the start of the new school year has begun to creep closer and closer, it's grown harder and harder to wait patiently.  Much like the students I serve, I've desired to go out and 'make things happen' this summer.  But I haven't.


I've learned I'm still learning to wait.  But because I have experienced God's provision, in His timing, I know that waiting is totally worth it!  


This has been such a BIG thing to NOT do something with... while waiting and praying, praying and waiting... SO, when God revealed a couple of MAJOR pieces to this puzzle yesterday you can imagine how elated I was!  And it served as such a powerful reminder to me of how much God loves us, knows what we're going through and desires to provide for us as we wait on Him.


How about you?

• Are there areas where you are challenged to practice what you preach?
• What message do you find most challenging to live out yourself?
• What stories of 'great provision' do you have to share?

Please share some of your story in the comments section below.

Grace and peace!