“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.”  Psalm 130:5

It’s the end of January, and here in Texas we’re enjoying a few days of Spring-like weather… A little teaser of Spring, then we return to gray days. Next week an icy blast of air will sweep in to remind us that it’s February..

And so it is with the Christian walk. Some days are sunny and bright, others are dark and gloomy. But we know this: regardless of life around us, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8  God is still the same, and our relationship with Him never changes; the only variable is our commitment to Him. And our Heavenly Father reminds us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
Oh, how He loves us and wants to draw us near!

He wants us to study His Word and separate ourselves from the superficial things of this world. He wants us to spend quality time in prayer ~ to intercede tirelessly for our needs and for the needs of those around us in this hurting world.
“Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth, and teach me; For You are the God of my salvation; I wait on you all day.” 
Psalm 25:4-5
If we’re going to be effective in our prayer life and have close communion with Christ, we must be willing to walk away from the things of this world and make Him our priority. We must commit our hearts, souls, and minds to the control of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible says, “I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God..And do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (reading the Bible.)”  Romans 12:1-2  Only then can our intercessory prayers be heard and answered.

Last February I posted about being in the waiting room with Christ. That blog was inspired by a dear Facebook friend who has been praying for his heart’s desire for many years. I too was praying for a certain outcome at that time. God has gloriously answered my heartfelt request, praise His Name! I give all the glory to Him for His miraculous works! He never fails.

A year later, I am still here, though, waiting for God to answer other desires of my heart. There are new requests ~ for family, for friends, for myself. And I’m in the waiting room again. Bringing my requests to the Lord, falling on my face before Him, leaning on His powerful shoulder, looking into His glorious face, trusting Him for all that is precious to me in this world, and expecting His best.

Why am I still in the waiting room? Because I have many heartfelt requests for Him, and I am waiting for His answers. Because He is my Father and I am His child. A child of the Creator of heaven and earth!  I’ve been bought with a price ~ the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom I belong. And as His child, I’m going to be in daily communion with Him through prayer.

He is my dearest Friend and Confidant, all day and every day, whether in good times or bad. He is my Rock, my Refuge, my Shield, my Counselor, when life is painful. This relationship fills me with joy unspeakable regardless of the world around me. And I want my life to glorify Him, as I share His GOOD NEWS. And I pray for those whom He has placed on my heart, to bring their needs before the throne of God.

Let me say, first of all, that this waiting room is not typical in appearance or decor. It’s a glorious garden filled with blooming plants and heavenly fragrances. It isn’t limited by typical walls, doors, windows…It has magnificent, limitless vistas that capture my eye. In every direction are glorious reminders that God is Creator, that God is on His throne. In God’s world the sky is not even the limit!

Not ’til the loom is silent

He knows, He loves, He cares;

5. Remain there and listen: In my humble opinion, this is one of the most important aspects of this process. We must WAIT! We go to Him, we pray over and over…and yet often we don’t wait and listen. We need to sit in silence and stillness, listening to God and the promptings of the Holy Spirit.... Where’s the answer? We need to wait, in faith, for God’s perfect answer in His perfect time…Dear one, if we jump up and run out of the room we won’t receive it. God cannot speak to us unless
Open my eyes, illumine me, we TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN. That’s why you and I need to stay in the waiting room with Christ. What better place than to be here, leaning on Him, sharing His precious company?

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready my God, Thy will to see,

Open my eyes, Illumine me

Spirit divine!