Waiting and Wondering What’s Next

This post was originally published on my Facebook page. An expanded version of this message is available via audio format at Hidden Headlines Podcast, #54 

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!  –Psalm 27:14

Psalm 27, written by ancient Israel’s King David, is one of great encouragement, particularly for those finding themselves in a time of trial. At this juncture in my life’s journey it’s a divine message that strikes a chord.

As some of you are aware, God has allowed me to be inflicted by an infirmity that at times has the ability to negatively impact my cognitive wellbeing.  As such I could not, with confidence, conduct a live radio talk show.  Other aspects of my life are also at times compromised by this disorder (such as my ability to drive—a real bummer because I own a car that is, shall we say, exhilarating).

Fortunately, there are tried and true medicines that should eventually bring my situation under control.  It’s also possible that (if the Lord allows) this condition will eventually depart for good.

Before I share my plans going forward, allow me to elaborate on Psalm 27, verse 14.

The original Hebrew word used in this passage for “wait” is qavah (pronounced kaw-vaw). It implies a type of waiting that includes tension, patience, and endurance. In other words, this type of waiting is not passive, it’s expectant.

“Courage” is chazaq (pronounced kaw-zahk). It means to be strong. In this context it seems David is telling us to be especially determined during our time of expectant waiting.

This verse also uses the Hebrew word amets (pronounced aw-mets) which means stout, strong, bold, and alert. In this case it’s translated “strengthen.”

The Hebrew word for “heart” is leb. It refers to our inner human, that is our mind and will, the things that make us tick.

So, my personal interpretation of this text is:

Expectantly and with determination, wait for the Lord to provide remedy.  As you do, allow Him to enable you to confront the challenge that lays before you and He will in the process strengthen your mind, thus permitting you to gain clarity and see what He will/can/is able to do.

Oddly, it’s not medical challenges that have caused me to wait on the Lord.  The question laying before me is what to do with the gifts and talents He has blessed me with.  I no longer host a hugely popular radio program; it’s as if my worldly significance as a man has been lost. However, I’m reminded of another Biblical scripture which is pretty deep, but says this:

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel (Colossians 1:21-23).

In more simpler terms, this passage declares that all of us are inherently opposed to the ways of God. However, God came to earth in that of the perfect human, Jesus the Messiah, to be sacrificed for our sins, thus reconciling us before our heavenly Father and, should we decide to place our faith in Him, give us eternal life.

That said, my significance is not based on the gifts and talents which made for a good radio show. Instead, my significance is based on what God did for me: He died for my miserable sins and has promised me life eternal. That’s beyond awesome!

So, at the advice of some trusted friends (and my always astonishing wife), I am waiting on the Lord.  They’ve all suggested I sit out from mass media for an entire year.  It will be a time for me to seek God’s will and hopefully realize how He would like to use the abilities He has graciously given me going forward.

It’s interesting to note that the Colossians passage I shared was written by the man often referred to as Saint Paul.  He was an ultra-orthodox Jew who formerly hunted down fellow Jewish men who followed Jesus, even putting some to death. After his shocking decision to become a follower of Jesus, Paul disappeared for well over a decade to wait on the Lord for direction. I’m sort of doing the same thing.

I have no idea what the future might look like. A blog? A podcast? A video-channel? A book? Live speaking? One-on-one communication? Or nothing of the sort? I have no clue, but I’m open to whatever God wants from me.

So, this is my last post perhaps for a long time.  Right now, I plan on returning for a follow up in three-months, just to inform those interested where I am in this pilgrimage and what God is revealing to me.  I have produced a brief podcast and video (available via my website) which also share this same message.

Thank you for your outpouring of support. I eagerly await what is to come.

May the God of all Creation richly bless you.