"Patience, young grasshopper" comes from a 1970s TV show called "Kung Fu". David Carradine played the role of Kwai Chang Caine, a half-American half chinese character in the old west who had been trained as a Shaolin monk in China. The show featured flashbacks to his training where he was called "Grasshopper" by his blind master, recalling a dialog from the first episode: Master Po: Close your eyes. What do you hear? Young Caine: I hear the water, I hear the birds. Po: Do you hear your own heartbeat? Caine: No. Po: Do you hear the grasshopper which is at your feet? Caine: Old man, how is it that you hear these things? Po: Young man, how is it that you do not? I love this! "Young man, how is that you do not?" That's me!! Sometimes I feel so dull of hearing and seeing that it worries me. And patience has not always been my best characteristic. I am a hard-working, quick person, which tends to contribute to impatience. This is great when it comes to your job (and for your employer), but it can surely be a detriment in your spiritual walk (and not something our Father and "Boss" typically commends). How beautiful would it be to hear all of those wonderful sounds at once, as Po seems to do in our example above? And what's even better.... being able to hear (and even see) all the sounds and things that our Father sends to us in His personal one-on-one communication with us, even His still, small voice. My heart longs to be in this place every second of every day. Well, He says to me, "Patience my little grasshopper; I will give you what you seek, but in my time and when you are fully ready". And I say, "Yes Father, I believe you!" I am sure it is quite obvious that this post is about patience; but even more specifically it is about... waiting... waiting upon our Father and His perfect timing. I did a quick little count to see how many times the word "wait" (or any form of this word) is in the Bible, already knowing it's a lot! I counted 160 times (but some of these are not really positive, i.e., "lying in wait")! Then I checked on how many times we are specifically told to wait upon the Father or wait for something of Him, and it was about 37 times! Then when I looked at the number of references to patience, I found about 34. Obviously, this patience and waiting thing is a very common thread within our Father's word! No wonder it is absolutely a fruit of the Spirit! Have you ever found yourself overburdened, overcommitted, confused, tired and just outside of the peace and rest that the Father promises to those who trust Him -- even though you think you've been working for Him and His purposes? I have, and it hasn't been just once. This blog post is for all the "doers" out there - especially the ones who are "doing" for the Most High God This is to help us finally come to the realization that even though we know that faith without works is dead, our "doing" may not always works of faith and could just be works of flesh. And many times, this type of doing has an underlying cause that needs to be identified and then healed or addressed by the Holy Spirit. Works of faith, although they require time, attention, and energy, will never be related to the words used above -- overburdened, overcommitted, confused, tired, and without peace. The exact opposite will be true when our work is a product of obedience to the Father. The peace and joy of the Spirit will always accompany works of faith, because He Himself will always be the One to assign the work, equip us for the work, and actually produce the work. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30 I am guilty of fleshly works. It's in my nature to work and to work hard, and it goes back at least two generations before me in my family. And somehow this characteristic, which can be perceived as honorable in the world, has always tried to creep into my relationship with the Father. Somehow, buried deep within my heart is the belief that working harder for Him will glean more love and acceptance. Obviously, this could not be any farther from the truth, and this truth is finally beginning to fully take root in me (even though it's taken a while!). The truth is that He loved me when I was yet a sinner; He came to me to save me when I was at my absolute worst. There is no work I can ever do to earn this -- never ever. While this is ingrained in my mind and covered in absolute gratitude, my flesh forgets and gets busy; then He gently reminds me again. His patience with me overwhelms me greatly. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. Psalm 86:15 (Note: For this particular scripture, there are several more that are worded almost exactly the same! We would be wise to realize that our Father is amazingly longsuffering with us!) When I think of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for 40 years never entering into the Father's rest, I wonder... did their stiff-neckedness ever involve fleshly works in trying to please Him? There was blatant disobedience, murmuring and complaining, and even idol worship. But when I think of the golden calf incident, I think of fleshly works indeed! And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the Lord. Exodus 32:2-5 And the ending of this story is so very sad... the Father swore they would never enter into His rest. This very story and ending is mentioned four times (Deuteronomy 1:26-38 when it actually happened and then in Psalm 95:6-11, Hebrews 3:7-9 and 4:1-8; it's that important!!. These scriptures have always quickened me hard, because I know this "working" thing is an area of weakness for me; and I know it may be for many others out there too. Why is so hard for us to wait on Him, when we know by the profundity of His word that He will always answer, and being in His will will always bring us peace, joy, and REST! Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 There are many examples in the Word of those who failed to wait, along with the consequences, as well as those who did wait, along with the blessings. David's words about waiting are the perfect encouragement for this post. As you read these scriptures, think of something either coming up in your life that will require waiting or something in your past where maybe you should have waited and didn't. Meditate upon these words and allow the Holy Spirit to infuse you with the wisdom and peace to see the power of waiting in that particular situation. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalm 25:4-5 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:1-3 Our Father has proven Himself to us since the beginning of time, as well as since the beginning of our own individual lives, that He is worthy of our trust and patience to wait upon Him in every situation, every crisis, and literally every moment. The fact that we are still breathing and living and being allowed the time to finish our walk in fullness is just one testimony of His faithfulness. Our steadfast assurance and belief in His sovereignty, faithfulness, love, and His never-ending mercy will bring us to the restful place of waiting upon Him, where we will always find the peace of His perfect will, in any situation. This is when we can truly enter into His rest. In closing, and really the main attraction I had intended for this post, I leave a poignant message from the late David Wilkerson (one of my favorites of all time) about waiting upon the Father and receiving His promises as a result. The Holy Spirit is very present in this message, so I pray that He will impart this truth to you so that it will become your very present way of life (and me too)!!
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Special NoteThese writings are written in love and a spirit of servitude. They are not designed to judge but make us think. We are all sinners in need of saving, and we all need encouragement and absolute truth to endure on the narrow road to sanctification and ultimately eternal life. Categories
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