Have you ever felt like you were on the cusp of something big? You feel a sense of excitement and anticipation, yet you’re nervous because you don’t know what it will require of you? Perhaps you have an idea or inkling as to what it might be, yet you’re at the mercy of time until the grand reveal. Maybe God even told you what it is, but you’re unsure about whether to take a leap of faith or continue to hold steady.
God spoke to me back in 2006 in a very unexpected way. I was walking into church on a Sunday night and Aaron was home studying. As soon as I touched the door handle, I felt something electric. There was a humming vibration when I touched the handle and it surged through me. I was so taken aback, I just stood there with my hand on the door handle, dazed and stunned. What was I feeling?? After a few moments of confused awe, I realized I was feeling the tangible presence of God. I felt a warm buzz throughout my body and butterflies in my stomach; I instinctively knew something incredible was about to happen.
After worship, I sat down in a pew. A missions video for Haiti began to play on the big screen. Almost immediately, an indescribable sense of God’s presence washed over me. I have sensed the Holy Spirit many times before, but this was unlike the other times I experienced. The feeling was incredibly overwhelming; I felt like I had no control over what I felt or what I did. I began shaking and crying uncontrollably and I was completely overwhelmed. I felt a message download directly to me from God, so loud it might as well have been audible for the whole sanctuary to hear! The words spoken were: “This is your people. This is your land. This is your home. This is where I’m calling you. I’m calling you to Haiti.”
The only other time God had spoken similarly to me happened years earlier when, as a teenager, he said, “You will be one of my missionaries. I’ll tell you where later.” I had been waiting for eight years to hear this message about where I was headed!
Fast forward many years…years of birthing and raising many children, taking missions trips to Haiti, adopting children from Haiti, deep involvement in church, completing my nursing education, buying and selling various homes, Aaron advancing in his career, getting experience as a nurse, etc.
Although Aaron and I know God has called us to Haiti, we have yet to see this come to pass. Thirteen years have come and gone since that day and we are still waiting. Sometimes the waiting seems endless, and it’s easy to sometimes wonder if we missed the calling altogether. But, I know this isn’t the case. God’s timeline can feel very long to us. But just because the years feel long and we have yet to see it come to pass does not negate the fact that he spoke.
David is a good example of someone who also experienced a long delay from the time he learned he was Israel’s chosen king until he actually stepped into that role. The change from shepherd boy to king was long and gradual. In fact, David had to wait over 20 years to step into his position as king over Israel!
“For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29)
“It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in his own authority.” (Acts 1:7)
“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Habakkuk 2:2-3)
If God has spoken to you about something, keep your ear pressed to the ground. Even if years have gone by since that word and you’re inclined to give up, or if your impatience prompts you to move hastily, wait for Him. We don’t know what circumstances He is working out behind the scenes to set us up for success!