Lenten Reader | Day 13

When I was a newlywed living far from family, I eagerly awaited the next visit home. So much so that I let time slip past me. I allowed all the exciting moments in this amazing new chapter of my life be overlooked by my focus on the distant future. Memories missed and the opportunity to lean on the Lord and my husband clouded by my longing for the day I would be reunited with our family. Thankfully, I eventually realized that I had allowed precious time to be lost.

The hardest part was in the waiting. Waiting until the next visit. Counting down the days. Trying to pass the time without missing out on life. When we are waiting for something that we are longing for, the wait is not easy. It is during the short-term season of waiting that we can occupy our minds temporarily to quicken the wait.

But how do we wait in the long-term when the wait requires us to keep our focus on the present? Psalm 27:8 says, “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Seeking something can take a while if we really do not know what we are looking for. It is easy to focus on things in this world, but that will only occupy us temporarily and more than likely lead us down misdirected paths. But if we focus on the Lord and the lessons to be learned during this period of waiting and truly seeking the Him and his paths, then what we are being taught can strengthen us and allow us to gain confidence in Christ.

So I challenge you this Lenten season: instead of pushing through the wait, take time and seek His face. Understand His paths. Take heart and grow in confidence. I believe there is wisdom in the wait, especially when you take the time to truly seek Him.

- Emily Huffer

Prayer
Father, help me to seek your face in the waiting seasons of my life. Teach me the lessons I need to learn and help me to enjoy each moment of life – even when I am waiting.