Confession:

It all started with a dream I had a few nights ago. It was a long dream, but the part in particular that I’m referencing I will share now.

“As I walked outside, toward what looked like a barbeque, there was an instrumental playing loudly. Immediately, I began to sway to the melody and recognized the song. Moments later, I began to sing these words…..

“You told me what you wanted
I gave you what you need
I told you that I love you
Make it good for you and me
And I never make a promise
That I can’t keep
That ain’t me”

Sound familiar? To some yes, to others maybe not so much. In 1996, R&B group, Dru Hill, released this song titled, “Never Make A Promise.”

Back to the dream……..

“It was nostalgic. I felt the music. It resonated with me. Shortly afterwards, I found myself in a discontent state of mind. My brother Dede and I were discussing a topic. I was saying something on the lines of, “Why?” “Why not now?” and another. Then he looked me directly in my eyes and said these words, “I Dare You to Wait on the Lord.”

After waking up, those lyrics replayed in my mind continuously. I remember feeling gratitude upon waking up. God had reminded me of His Character! He had reminded me of who He had been and who He was in my life. As I prepared for the day, I continued singing the lyrics, even aloud; then a sudden desire to research the lyrics overcame me. I grabbed my phone and searched google.

As I read the words, the same atmosphere in the dream permeated. However, I knew some parts of the song were irrelevant. As I scrolled to the bottom of that page, there they were. The words to the broken chorus I’d been singing. Much to my amazement, the final words coincided with my dream. They were:

“If I make a promise to you
Then baby that’s what I’ll do
I have nothing to lose
I give my whole world to you
(I’ll never make a promise that I can’t keep)
I’m a man of my word
For you I’m always concerned
That you’ll never be hurt
It’s for better or worse
(I’ll never make a promise that I can’t keep)”

An outburst of laughter and joy escaped my heart and filled to room. I was astonished, and still am.

In such a beautiful way, God was reminding me not only to wait on Him, but to trust His intentions towards me. The portion of the song that read “I’m a man of my word, for you I’m always concerned that you’ll never be hurt, it’s for better or worse,” comforted me.

Sometimes it can be hard to wait patiently on God’s timing and even harder to trust in plans that you don’t even know. Especially because we live in a society that thrives on self-reliance and dependency. But even though that may be the case, I’m reminded of two scriptures.

Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you, ‘says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.“

and

Isaiah 40:30-31 (AMP)

“Even youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, but those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; they will lift of their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising towards the sun]; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired.”

No matter the situation your up against, no matter the distress you feel; whether anxious thoughts or hasty behavior, be at peace and take heart knowing God is not only able, but also willing to prosper you. His overall desire, for you, is to delight in you. He loves to love you. He loves to reveal Himself to you. He loves everything about you. Not just that, He has already purposed, in His will, to give you an unyielding hope and glorified end.

Psalm 27: 14 reads,

“Wait for the Lord be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.”

Lastly, have an assurance that your waiting is not in vain! Have an assurance that God is faithful. Have the faith that says, to doubt, “My God is good.” Remind anxiety and worrying, that they are beneath you, and that your wait has purpose. Seek to find God in all aspects of what it is that you’re waiting for. Take advantage of the moments that you are enduring and see if you can find lessons. Each part of this journey that we are all on, cultivates proven character and established hope.

No matter the voices around you, be it inner, the voice of friends/family, or your own, be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the Words of the Lord.

Peace and blessings my friends. May we all, press towards the mark of our high calling, which is found in Christ Jesus, as Paul said, counting these light afflictions as joy, knowing that our end is far greater than it’s beginning.