“but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” Isaiah 40:31

There have been all sorts of suggestions about how to wait, but first and foremost it involves time. Time is what self & Satan conspire to keep from us, self because we want to fill our moments with what pleases us, and Satan because he intends that we never stop long enough to actually consider our Maker.

Our lives are so busy that we get used to the busyness. In fact we get so used to busyness that when we actually get some free time we hunt round for something to fill the gap, something to do.

What we should do is spend time with God: talk, listen, just be still & know His presence. I know people require quanity in order to cultivate that quality time we so desire; how much more important is it to cultivate quality time with God by spending quantity time with Him?

The title was quoted from Peter Wagner in David Beer’s very practical little book Releasing your Church to Grow. So far it is the first statement in the book that I have really ‘clicked with’. I can see how it can be true.

We can write vision statements, we can order our services, meetings, outreaches in line with our road map for our fellowship, but until the congregation grasps the vision with their hearts there will be no passion to see the vision fulfilled. Herein lies the problem, we lack passion, passion for God, passion for His Kingdom, passion for His creation. We lack the heart to win the lost and disciple the saved. We lack the love of God that passes understanding in part at least because we don’t see it in others. When the Church grows cold we have no-one from whom to borrow heat.

Robert Murray McCheyne one wrote: “My people’s greatest need is my personal holiness.” As a pastor or leader of Christians this still holds true. We cannot lead without holiness, personal holiness, a walk with God that is close, honest & life changing. Vision is bound up in holiness: our close walk with God brings us into an understanding of His plans and purposes and into a personal identification with them.

When we are personally living out God’s plan for us then others will see and desire the same. It is the sight of the godly man living out God’s plan that will bring others to join the cause.

If we pray for nothing else, let us pray for godly men who will live out the vision from their personal walk with God and in so doing draw many more along the same path for His Kingdom.