Waiting expectantly to see what God is going to do

Waiting expectantly to see what God is going to do

Years ago The Lord laid on my heart to launch a serving ministry for 5th & 6th graders and the 4:12 ministry was born.  The name "4:12" is taken from 1 Timothy which says "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 

Each year I pray about where The Lord would have us serve in April.  This year I especially  felt Him guiding us to where we should serve.  Friday night we would be serving Mission Share by doing a "mini-Flower City" at their building, and on Saturday we would serve alongside Father's Heart at Charity Bible Church in the city.

In preparation for the trip, I visited Mission Share to see what type of jobs they would like us to do.  One of the things Tom Hakes wanted us to do was paint.  I envisioned the 5th & 6th graders painting, so I had over communicated to the parents that the children should arrive on Friday wearing clothes and shoes that were okay to get paint on them

This year I went into this trip with my eyes wide open, waiting and expecting to see God at work.  I believed this is where He wanted us, and I wanted to see Him at work and join Him.  The Lord knew my desires to stretch the team and to bring Him glory.  In my mind I fast forwarded to the trip and tried to understand how The Lord was going to stretch the team and show Himself while we painted.  I really felt that was where He wanted us, so I knew He would be glorified.

Friday night Tom Hakes from Mission Share joined us for dinner at Journey.  At the end of dinner he mentioned that we were not going to paint.  Instead he had cleaning for us to do.  I told him that was fine, we would do whatever would bless him the most.  He said, "What would really bless me the most is helping to put in the community garden for Mission Share."  I told him we could do.  He was concerned about the rain, and that the children might get muddy.  I love how God puts pieces together and we are able to see it!  He knew what our night would be like when I first visited Mission Share and was told we would be painting.  I told Tom that, since we thought we were going to paint, all the children were dressed to get dirty, and God would hold off the rain!

We went to put in the garden. The Lord held off the rain until we were done, and THEN He let it rain.  The children saw the power of prayer, and the rain watered the garden and weighed down the hay.  Praise God!

I could tell you so many amazing stories about that night, and Saturday and how The Lord orchestrated so many things. However, if my eyes had not been open and looking for Our Lord, I probably would have missed His Hand at work at many of these areas.

This trip blessed me because I went into it excited about  what The Lord was going to do.  The Lord is faithful.  He showed us big things.  So, what have you been praying about?  Have you felt a leading from The Lord?  Open your eyes wide and expect to see The Lord at work, and then join Him.  He may put plans in place for you to "paint", just so you will be available to serve Him somewhere else, for His Glory.

I pray that you would be blessed by seeing The Lord at work.  When this happens, I pray that it would bring a smile to your face to know how much He cares about the little details of your life, and that  you  will willingly trust Him in faith with the big details of your life.  I also pray as you plan your day, that you will be open to the Holy Spirit who will lead you and guide you to do His Perfect Will, and you will rejoice in Him as your "painting" opportunity changes for His Glory.