Chosen Grace

Happy Belated Easter y’all! Enjoy April’s blog post.

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I recently got a new phone. And while I’m very happy that I got rid of my old one- the story behind how I got this phone was quite interesting…and let me tell you why.

It was a Saturday- a day that I usually have reserved for tying up loose ends with homework, extracurricular work, and just making time for myself. I had just finished up my laundry when I got a call from my mom. When I picked up the phone she hit me with these words: “You and your brother need to get to the phone place now and get your new phone.” She said.

I was completely caught off guard by her words. I mean- I had already planned out my day and getting a phone was the furthest thing from my mind. However, I decided to listen to her prompting and soon found myself grabbing my keys and heading out the door.

My brother and I went to the phone store and sure enough- there was a promotional deal and we got new phones. As the worker was finishing up with us, he looked at me and said:

“You know- that’s a good deal y’all got one these phones. So many people would have loved to have had this deal- especially last month.”

Last month.

Those two words kept ringing in my head because last month, I was looking on the internet for a new phone. I wanted one badly and was excited to get one immediately. I had been saving up and had it all planned out on how it was going to go. But for some reason- I just never got around to actually buying the phone.

Looking back at that moment, I realize that if I would have gotten the phone when I wanted- I would’ve been spending way more money that what I had planned and missed out on a very good deal. I also appreciate my phone much more because of the waiting period I had to endure.

As I thought about this situation, the Lord reminded me of the disciples in Acts. Let’s check them out below:

“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you have heard from me; John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” –Acts 1:4-5 ESV

Now, it’s important to know that Jesus is the one speaking to the disciples. He is telling them these words right before he ascends into heaven. These words are important because they are one of the last commandments that Jesus gave in his physical form.

However, they are also important because Jesus told them to wait. Now, I find this very interesting because the disciples had been through some things: they had traveled three years with Jesus, dealt with Judas’ betrayal and their own guilt, watched Jesus come back to life, etc. And now their savior was telling them to wait.

This seems kinda wild, right? I mean- they literally just got Jesus back from the dead and now he’s telling them to wait…again.

And like the disciples, we too must wait sometimes. Often times God will command us to be still (Psalm 46:10). He knows the things we want- and yet he only tells us to be still and be patient as He works on our behalf.

And if I’m being honest- waiting isn’t one of my favorite things to do. Sometimes I just want to have what I want, when I want it. But as I walk with Christ, I’m learning that patience is indeed a virtue. The disciples waited, and something great happened for them:

” When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.” –Acts 2, ESV

The disciples were obedient- and they waited just as Jesus had said. They knew they had to rest on rocks in order to get their blessing. Because of their obedience- Jesus’ promise of the comforter was fulfilled and the Holy Spirit filled them greatly- enabling them to walk in His power.

This was a bold and new experience for the disciples. Before this- they had no idea what the Spirit of God felt like. But because of their wait in obedience for Jesus’ words to be fulfilled- they experienced something they had never experienced before.

And it was all because they were willing to wait. They waited with expectancy- not with grumbling or complaining. They were ready for God’s will to be fulfilled- even though they had no idea what it was going to be.

Like the disciples, we too, can experience bold and new things if we are obedient to where God has placed us right now. It may be hard, confusing, or frustrating, but remember that God will take those high places and make them low (Isaiah 40:4).

As I said earlier- waiting totally sucks for me. And I’m pretty sure it feels the same way for some of you reading this post. But remember your waiting is not in vanity. God will always keep His promises- great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23)

He’ll always bring you where you need to be- right on time. And when you get there- it’ll have been worth the wait.

With love and a new joy for waiting,

Malaysia =)

P.S- what’s something that you’ve had to wait for that God has shown you His faithfulness in?