My wife and I recently traveled to London. I noticed the beautiful countryside as our plane began its descent into London Heathrow airport. As we flew, I began to recognize landmarks that I had seen minutes prior. That’s when I realized our plane was in a holding pattern. It is not uncommon for planes to fly holding patterns, flying circles around the airport, while personnel are clearing traffic on the ground for a safe landing. It is especially true of London airports as London has the world’s busiest city airport system by passenger count. Holding patterns can be short or long depending on what’s happening on the ground. The goal is a safe landing for the plane.
There are times when it seems like you and I are in a spiritual holding pattern. It’s when God seems silent after you have sought Him. Or maybe you are looking for direction from God and He has not provided it. Still yet, you may need God’s divine intervention in a matter, but He has not intervened. Sometimes the duration of time is short, sometimes long depending on what’s happening in your life. As with our experience at London Heathrow airport, God is preparing the ground for your safe landing. He is preparing you and your related circumstances to work together for your good.
It’s during the time when God seems silent that we are inclined to resolve issues ourselves, to determine what’s best for us, to go back to something or someone from which God has delivered you. Sometimes the desire is to get to a place of comfort and certainty and the only way seems to go back to what was comfortable even though it may not have been God’s will.
When God seems silent, we tend to seek other sources of information. We look to popular and influential people, we look to bestselling books, we look to popular podcasts and YouTube videos, we look to friends and coworkers within our social network. But all along, God is still preparing things related to you and your circumstances.
We are encouraged by the psalmist in Psalm 27:7–14 who faced a similar situation.
“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” 9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me. 11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!”
The psalmist teaches us to wait in the Lord no matter what you are going through. The outcome will be far better as we do.
Until next time …
PW