While in Pennsylvania, Cherie and I went to a farmer’s market to pick up some fresh fruits and vegetables. Quite a little place, they had fresh flowers, breads, pies, cookies, fruit, vegetables, etc. Their slogan should be “We’re small, but we have it all!” We navigated our way through the market, saying “Excuse me” and “I’m sorry” a number of times (did I mention this place was small?), finally finished our shopping, and headed to our car. In the parking lot was a small flower bed with landscape blocks bordering planted yellow flowers and the market’s sign.

This is where I found a hidden treasure. I looked down and sitting on top of the border stones was a small smooth stone on which someone had painted a picture of Yogi Bear. I was impressed with the detailed artwork. To me it was very precise. I was so captured by this little piece of art that I took a picture of Yogi, both close up and from a distance. After viewing the photos, this is what came to mind.

Countless times we look at what is in front of us, whether good or bad. We have a close up view of things and that’s all that is in our vision. We’re zoomed in. Because that’s all we see, we often make decisions that we later regret when we find out more information. If we had waited, we would have learned more, seen more context, and could have made a better decision. Hindsight is always 20/20.

Looking at the two pictures of Yogi, let’s first focus on the close-up shot. This is a picture of how God created us for His purposes. He artistically considered what He would create and every detail of it. For Yogi, the artist first decided to paint Yogi, then chose what Yogi would be wearing – his hat and tie, even down to the color. And he/she painted Yogi just the perfect size to fit on the rock. You, my friend, were not a mistake. God carefully considered exactly who and what He wanted you to be before creating you. Each detail added to you was a specific decision of your Creator – hair color, height, personality, temperament, the sound of your laugh, your likes and dislikes, your skills and talents, etc – until He had created exactly what He envisioned. Just as Yogi fit perfectly on the rock, God created the exact person He wanted for His specific purpose.

God continues to mold us, shape us, and direct us as we grow through life. To learn how we fit into our purpose, we must seek the One who made us. After all, He’s the One that knows what He made us for. Read God’s word, pray, ask Him questions, and listen in a quiet place to hear His voice.

There are times His word to us will be “wait.” That can be one of the hardest things to do, but in our waiting God builds our strength, perseverance, humility, long suffering, compassion, patience, and other parts of our character.

Waiting was not a preference of mine when I came to PA from NJ. The word “wait” wasn’t even in my vocabulary. But that’s exactly what God had me do. And through it, I have learned a few things. First, God is in control. If He wants us to wait and we fight Him on it, things will not go well for us because we are stepping outside of His will for us, so we are also stepping outside of His favor and grace. Second, I have learned that He always has something better for me on the other side. God’s plans for us are always best. When I have waited for His plan in His timing, the outcome has always been better than what I would have come up with on my own. He has proved it over and over again.

Now let’s take a look at the far away shot. This is God’s view of our lives. We are always in His sight, and look how much more God sees! He sees the flowers, the stones, the pavement, the curb. God sees so much more than we do. He sees our past, our present, our future. He sees what’s hiding around the corner and what’s going to blindside us next week or next month or next year. That’s why waiting is so critical. God knows what is coming to us or leaving us long before we know. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

We all have needs in our lives – a wayward child, a sick family member, a financial need, a relationship that needs mending, etc. When our character has been strengthened, we learn to wait on God without making a move. We pray and ask God to help us in our different situations, and then we LEAVE IT WITH HIM. We don’t pray, putting it in God’s hands, and then fret and worry about it, taking it back into our hands. Fear has no hold on us. We can rest in the waiting because we have learned that God sees the full picture, He’s in control, and He always has something better for us on the other side.

If you have worry or fear, step back and reset. Fear is not from God. (2 Timothy 1:7) Instead, remember FROG – Fully Rely On God. The more you can trust Him, the easier and more restful you will be as you wait. Peace will begin to replace worry. His love for you will replace fear. You will be able to hear His voice more clearly because it won’t be competing with anything else. And since you will hear Him, when it is time for you to move, you will know what to do.

If God is asking you to wait, let me help you get started. Below are just five of the many, many promises in Scripture. These are God’s words to you. If you trust His words, you trust Him. Don’t rely on your own intellect or strength or wit to get your through a situation. Lean on the One who can see the full picture and knows your purpose better than you do. He’s got something great ahead for you!

Love each of you guys very very much!

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.   ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.   ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.  ~ Deuteronomy 31:8

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.   ~ Philippians 4:13

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.   ~ Matthew 7:7-8