Oak Hill Church of Christ 7-7-24 Message: "Wait On God's Spirit"

Oak Hill Church of Christ preaching minister, Randy Sterling, delivers a message on the importance of waiting for God to do His work in our lives.

"Do something!" Is often the battle-cry of the fearful. There's a perception among many that immediate action is the sign of competence, and that quick responses are the symbol of a capable leader.

We often regard inaction or slow action as a sign of cowardice or incompetence. We regard those who wait patiently as deficient in leadership. Even Christians may demand immediacy, citing the expression of faith being a race that must be won. However, Ecclesiastes 9:11 reminds us that "the race is not to the swift..."

Jesus shows us through the example of his friends, such as Peter, that waiting is part of faith too, and patience is not inaction, but readying for action. Jesus told peter to wait so that the Holy Spirit could come and show them what to do next (Acts 1:4-5).

God wants us to exercise our patience. Instead of acting rashly and making emotional judgments, He tells us to wait and ready ourselves. Those presumptions and assumptions we may have could prove wrong. A rash action or harsh word said in anger could hinder a relationship.

We have all made mistakes in the past. Even Peter himself gave in to rash action. Still, Jesus advised being still and waiting. Giving God a chance to direct the course through the Holy Spirit which dwells within all of us.

This week, give it a try. Let God work things out, don't give in to impulse. You'll find that God's path leads to a much better place.