“He changes times and season; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Daniel 2:21
By Sybil Mack
One of the most beautiful songs that our church choir sings is by William Murphy, “It’s Working.” This song resonates through my mind, body and soul, because the words convey to all believers that whatever God’s plan is, you have to believe that your waiting season is not a waste of time.
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:11-14.
A season of waiting is an opportunity to put your faith into practice in anticipation of God's future plans for your life which in no way is wasted time. The Lord has plans for our lives, and we must understand that God is always working for us. He loves us and wants the best for us. However, waiting is not a great human characteristic that many of us have. We live in the “I want it Now!” or the “Me Generation.” Our society is such that, people even hate to wait in lines. We are told that patience is a virtue because it requires self-control which regrettably many of us do not possess. This is the way our culture is wired, but it goes against God’s blessing in our lives, because God’s blessing comes through these times of waiting. His timing is always perfect. God is never early, never late, but always on time. God’s timing grows our faith as we are forced to wait and trust in God and it makes certain that He, and He alone, gets the glory and praise for pulling us through. So, if you feel impatient, you need to let go and let God. His plan for you will be shown in His time, not yours. He’s just taking you through that season because he’s using the time to work in your circumstances for your good.
Like many cultures, we have experience many seasons of waiting as African Americans. We were reminded of the passing of time as we bid farewell to two influential civil rights icons, Rev. C.T. Vivian and Congressman John Lewis. They died on the same day leaving a hollow feeling for not only African Americans, but many Americans. These men were symbols of hope whose light shone brightly even though many of their days included cloudy skies and most often storms. They demonstrated the epitome of patience. These activists were fruitful in their seasons and waited long-sufferingly enduring difficult experiences that would have broken lesser saints.
But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.” Psalms 38:15
Rev. Vivian and Rep. Lewis never rushed, never changed paths, but continued to hold up the bloodstained banner as they waited on the Lord. They faithfully spoke out on multiple occasions about the inequalities experienced by people of color and women, they marched, organized freedom rides, sit-ins, were arrested, and beaten just because of the color of their skin. Yet, they never exhibited any form of hate.
“You must not hate your brother in your heart. You must surely reprove your fellow citizen so that you do not incur sin on account of him. You must not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the children of your people, but you must love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:17-18.
Lewis spoke about hate saying,
“It is the power in the way of peace, the way of love. We must never, ever hate. The way of love is a better way.”
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20.
Rev. Vivian and Rep. Lewis received grace and favor it was their season. They gave all the glory and praise to the Lord for His good works. God’s plan is perfect and it was clearly on display on the very bridge where Rep. Lewis was beaten and stopped from crossing in 1965. He returned to cross the very same bridge for the last time on July 25, 2020 with Honors.
Is this your season…?
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