by Dr. Randy Tompkins
There seems to be a popular assumption that a person cannot increase their spiritual life unless God intervenes. There are documented cases where God started the intervention in order to get the attention of the individual and cause spiritual growth to begin. However, this is not the usual way God works.
James 4:8 gives us instruction about the normal procedure of getting close to God. James writes “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” In other words, God is waiting on us to make the first move before He shows up to engage in spiritual development. Church leaders have for centuries acknowledged this process by telling people to “come to God and ask Him to forgive you of your sin.”
It is important for people (Christians as well as non-Christians) to recognize and acknowledge this process. It is also as important when we are searching for an answer or looking for help in overcoming a difficult situation as it is when asking for salvation. Waiting for God is an important factor to understand the role God plays in our lives.
If you find yourself becoming impatient because God has not provided you with direction or the answer you wanted, just remember that it is God who is in control and has the best desire for us in all situations. Waiting on Him should be a growth process rather than a frustrating process. If you do not feel close to God, just remember, God is not the one who moved.
