Spontaneous. Dictionary.com defines this word as coming or resulting from a natural impulse or tendency; without effort or premeditation; natural and unconstrained; unplanned. I think about spontaneous people as being the life of the party—fun-loving.
Who doesn’t want to spread a little joy when hanging out with friends? Spontaneity is a good thing, right? I certainly don’t want to be a stick-in-the mud, although admittedly, I lean more that way than the other. Sometimes I think I’m dull as dishwater.
But spontaneous has a second definition—given to acting upon sudden impulses. No thought or planning involved. You feel it, so you do it. That just rattles my dull-as-dishwater personality. Been there, done that. There are consequences for leaping without thinking—or praying—and they can be costly.
A couple of weeks ago, I was reading in my devotional Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman, and the day’s subject was waiting. I waited patiently for the Lord (Ps. 40:1). A few paragraphs later, the author (who was quoting from The Sunday School Times) wrote, “But God has a purpose in all HIS holdups. ‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,’ reads Psalm 37:23.”
The author continued to share that George Mueller (a man of extreme faith) had written in the margin of his Bible at this verse, “And the stops also.” It was this part of the devotional that gave me pause. Some might consider such a stop as God’s indifference for which path we should choose. But a stop is just that—stop. Don’t move. Stay where you are.
When we relocated from Northern California to Tennessee in 2018, it was a long process of praying and waiting for God’s direction. Three years we prayed, but when our sights were set somewhere other than where we landed, the Lord stopped us. So, we continued to pray and wait. Pray and wait. Now we see how God was orchestrating everything ahead of us and behind us for His plan. Not our plan. His. It’s mind blowing to see how He’s blessed us and our extended family since.
More recently, we prayed over whether we should build a new home. We love where we live, but the upkeep on the property is high, it’s a two-story with all the bedrooms upstairs, and we’re still young and energetic enough to manage a project of this magnitude. For months, we looked online at available parcels, but unless the “perfect” piece in the right place for a reasonable asking price became available…we were waiting on the Lord to see if He would provide these things.
And He did.
But still, we weren’t yet convinced God was giving us the go-ahead on this project. If it wasn’t to be, we were okay with that. Corrie Ten Boom said, “Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.” If it wasn’t God’s will, we didn’t want any part of it. We purchased the property knowing that we could keep it for a time and sell it at a profit if that was what God desired. Then just like when we made the decision to move to Tennessee, everything fell into place.
Does that mean if the process isn’t smooth, it’s not God’s will? Not at all. Sometimes He wants us to learn something in the struggle that we wouldn’t otherwise experience. You only have to read about the Heroes of Faith in Hebrews to know this.
When Chris and I first got together, the differences in our personalities became obvious pretty quickly. Although I’m not spontaneous, I could be impatient. I’d process things faster than him, and then I’d have to wait until he caught up—often with a lot of foot tapping and eye rolling—but he always did. Eighteen years later, we’ve both adjusted our pace a little. Or more accurately, we’ve both learned to trust in the Lord more fully.
The are many benefits to spontaneity. It enhances your confidence, reconnects you to your inner child—and connects you with others more effectively—eliminates boredom, and helps you adapt to change more easily. But when it comes to important decisions, slowing down to pray and waiting on the Lord will serve you much better in the long run.
How about you? Any big decisions you’re waiting on the Lord for at this time?
Comments 6
Oh this is good!!! (I was raised on Streams in the Desert and George Mueller! My sister met Corrie Ten Boome at my uncle’s church in CA.)
Author
I love it when I find spiritual connections with others!
This was timely for me today.
Going through (stuff).
The steps and the stops….
Oh we don’t like the stops!
Then God says Wait.
Oh no!
Trust in the Lord with All your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in All of your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Thank you.
Author
Thank you so much for sharing. I am truly blessed when the Lord puts a message on my heart that speaks to someone other than me. God bless.
Excellent blog. As your sister, I can tell you that you are not “dull as dishwater “. As you go through your walk and let us in on what you are learning in your walk with God, you are helping me to learn also. It’s almost as good as being with you. Many hugs for you and lots of love.
Author
I appreciate your sweet heart.