By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson
These past couple of days I have been contemplating on what would be a good topic to write. Then I got tied up with my job at the hospital, that I had to put it off. Anyhow, today is Friday, and I was looking forward for another challenging day at work. I was driving on my way to the hospital until our Floor Supervisor called and told me that I will be "on call", until the ER unit will call me in. Just the other day, I was reminiscing about, if I would ever get floated to ER, and what would it be like? And there it was, I got to work in the ER unit today! I told myself, "be careful on what you wish for!" The downside of being "on call" is that you can't do very much because you could be called in at anytime. So to make my time seem worthwhile, I started browsing on my collections of Christian clippings (my pile of backlog writing assignments). Then I came across a clipping that was written by Warren Wiersbe entitled - Waiting and Hoping. It suddenly felt like I was struck by an arrow! I knew right then, without a doubt, that I should write on this subject.
These past couple of days I have been contemplating on what would be a good topic to write. Then I got tied up with my job at the hospital, that I had to put it off. Anyhow, today is Friday, and I was looking forward for another challenging day at work. I was driving on my way to the hospital until our Floor Supervisor called and told me that I will be "on call", until the ER unit will call me in. Just the other day, I was reminiscing about, if I would ever get floated to ER, and what would it be like? And there it was, I got to work in the ER unit today! I told myself, "be careful on what you wish for!" The downside of being "on call" is that you can't do very much because you could be called in at anytime. So to make my time seem worthwhile, I started browsing on my collections of Christian clippings (my pile of backlog writing assignments). Then I came across a clipping that was written by Warren Wiersbe entitled - Waiting and Hoping. It suddenly felt like I was struck by an arrow! I knew right then, without a doubt, that I should write on this subject.
Mr. Warren Wiersbe began...
The next time you feel at rock bottom, read Psalm 130:1-8 "Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD." ( v.1). Three basic requests in this psalm echo the concerns in our hearts today. First, the psalmist says, "Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications." ( v.2). Why? "I can't swim; I am in the deep waters and they are coming over my head. I am drowning, and I'm afraid I can't make it....."
How many times I have asked the Lord, why? Why me Lord? Then I remember who Christ is, and what He has done for me. So no matter how deep down we may go or feel, God always hears us. Though He hears us, but God doesn't always give us the answers we seek immediately. I've learned through my own personal experiences with Him, that listening to God, also requires patience, and dilligent seeking of His face through His Word.
Everytime I hit the floor at the First Floor Tower, I can't help not to feel edgy towards the uncertainties which my day may bring. I don't always know what will they be like, but I know that the Lord is always up to something new - teaching me as I go. To combat with such a dilemma, I keep treading by reciting a favorite verse silently to myself, and then come before the Lord in prayer before I start. Like a swimmer who manages to stay in vertical position with the head up above the surface of the water using the "treading technique." Yes, I tread using God's words - reminding myself to take each day - one day at a time; while I am simultaneously applying the nursing assessment technique to assess my own fear of the unknown. I am not ashamed to admit that I am also considering myself as a patient. I thought that being a nursing student was the hardest part of the nursing training, but I was wrong. I have discovered that the "real deal", is even more challenging and difficult! Paddling my own canoe to a new horizon of learnings and discoveries; holding myself accountable for all my actions. Now, will I be able to keep myself above the surface of the water? Not according to my own, but with the help of God's words, and the Holy Spirit, yes, I can and I will, by the grace of God.
Then he continued on...
"If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared." (v. 3-4). We can't stand before God in the courtroom of His justice; we are helpless. Only Jesus Christ can stand there, because only He is perfect. He stands with us, He's our Savior. God not only hears us when we are down, but He holds us. He says, "I forgive you. You've trusted my Son; you've confessed your sin; and now you can stand before Me....."
What a blissful thought! One of the greatest things, Saved Christians will never ever have to do - is to stand alone before a Holy and Perfect God, because Christ stands for them in the courtroom of God's justice. When God looks at them, He sees His Son in their place - forgiven, justified, and sanctified by the finished work of our Savior on the cross - (1 Corinthians 6:10-11).
In conclusion, Mr. Wiersbe said...
The psalmist expresses his confidence in his truth: "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—Yes, more than those who watch for the morning." (v.5-6). Then he asks, "O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all her iniquities." (v.7-8).
Contrary to the nature of King David, he waits for the Lord. Being patient is not one of my virtues until I came to a personal relationship with Christ more than twelve years ago. I used to live a life that was always on the go until I got so worn out. It didn't seem normal anymore. I realized that something was missing - I was looking for a balance. So I asked God to help me. The timing was perfect when our home church was conducting a Ladies Fall Retreat at Camp Clearwaters in Wisconsin. I have never been to one before so I thought signing up won't be such a bad idea. Driving on the way to Camp Clearwaters marked the beginning of what my true purpose in life is. Seeing myself surrounded with mature Christian women - with their respective mission and purpose in life, gave me a breath of fresh air. I have never experienced something like that before - not with that type of group of people and environment. I found my place - my sense of belongingness. I told God, "this is what I needed Lord - what I have been looking for - I found my balance." The entire day at the retreat became a therapy of my weary soul. It became more momentous for me when the Facilitator asked us to memorize Psalm 62:5-7 - "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God." This powerful verse has sealed the issue of my being impatient more than four years ago. It didn't take me that long to memorize this verse because I didn't have to - it pierced through my heart like a double edged sword. It spoke to me over four years ago - and it still does now.
So I tread in every downhearted moment of my life, because God's Word is able to keep my head up above the surface of the deep waters of life - not willing that anyone should drown. Isn't that amazing that our God is faithful and just? Dependable and not a slacker; "....our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1).
Therefore, if you find yourself drowning in whatever issues of life you are facing, just keep treading in the promises of God's words. He always hears you; and holds you up! Why? Because God says so, (Isaiah 46:10); and He loves you unconditionally.
