Sometimes, He doesn’t change our circumstances but uses them to grow our faith.
I admit I don’t know a whole lot about butterflies and assumed they were fragile creatures because of their size and beauty. But, I once had a butterfly land on a rock beside me on a very windy day. I marvelled at how it stood so firmly while being buffeted by the strong wind. It didn’t attempt to fly but rested until the wind calmed. This memory came to mind as I journaled this page.
I’m seeing how waiting is an opportunity to practice rest.
To trust Him in stillness. To seek Him while abiding. To endure the wait. My heart is cheered by this promise – you will be strengthened, you will run without weariness. YOU. WILL. SOAR!
Have you not known? Have you not heard.
Isaiah 40:28-31
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Process and products used:
This page in my NIV Journal the Word Bible features the following products by Creative Worship Stamps. These are affiliate links, please see the Privacy Policy for details.
- Peace Joy Love stencil
- Messy Blocks stencil
- Vintage Butterflies & Blooms stamp set
- Mindful Magnolias stamp set
- Typewriter Alpha stamp set
I started with the floral stamps from the Vintage Butterflies & Blooms set on the bottom section of the page. Then, I stamped the butterflies making sure to position the bottommost one to look like it is resting on a flower.
Next, I used the Messy Blocks stencil and added some ink using a sponge. I did the same with the Peace Joy Love stencil in green ink. The word “wait” is not included in the stencil so I blocked off some letters in “faith” and “walk” using washi tape to get the word.
Then, I stamped the words “trust”, “seek” and “endure” using the Mindful Magnolias set. I added my title using the Typewriter Alpha stamp in black ink. And, I coloured the butterflies using pencil crayons. I left the florals as is because there is already a lot of colour on the page. I finished by highlighting the text with the same crayons and added a date stamp.
Be encouraged
Wait ~ Matt Maher
It can be discouraging to endure in circumstances that remains unchanged despite prayers. However, it’s important to remember scripture when we pray.
We are told to rejoice in all circumstances and not wait for them to change before we do. We’re instructed to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. We are told to endure while hoping in God to do what He promised and not what we wish or want.
Sometimes, what we long for aligns with God’s will, and sometimes it doesn’t. Either way, He will do as He pleases in His timing; He is Lord after all. Waiting isn’t in vain nor is it forever; there is an end in sight. Either He moves and brings change. Or, He gives us peace to trust that it is best and strengthens us with joy in His presence.
