Faith in the Waiting

Small beginnings

When I decided to pursue my dream of being a talk radio show host and podcaster nearly 9 years ago, I knew that I was willingly inserting myself into the public arena. 

That was a very small arena at first. 

But by the grace of God, it has grown. 

I started podcasting in our bedroom closet on August 10, 2015. And a mere handful of people downloaded that first episode – many of whom did so at my personal request! 

A realtor would have referred to that first “studio” space as “cozy.” In fact, I remember bumping into the clothes while speaking into that first digital microphone on a fairly regular basis! 

A fire in the bones

As a young man, I was often quiet. I wouldn’t say I was shy (though I had my moments), but I never really felt the need to be outspoken. 

But as I’ve aged, I’ve felt the need to speak out on many things. 

I suppose I’ve learned what’s at stake and my small role in this cold civil war being waged in America today. 

I’ve seen what happens when we don’t proclaim truth. When we don’t take the time to speak into the next generation. When we are simply too busy to articulate bedrock principles. 

Perhaps this is the reason that one of my two favorite Bible verses is Jeremiah 20:9. (More on my other favorite shortly.) It reads: 

“But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord

    or speak in his name,

his word burns in my heart like a fire.

    It’s like a fire in my bones!

I am worn out trying to hold it in!

    I can’t do it!” (NLT)

I need to verbalize the things I believe to be true. 

I’m talking “burn-in-my-bones” sort of need. 

And if I can get just a tad bit “preachy” for a moment, I think God made me this way because He called me to help others hear and receive truth.

How can they receive truth if they haven’t heard it? 

And how can they hear it if those called to speak it remain silent? 

They can’t. 

He calls us all

Now, before you get the wrong idea, let me state this with absolute clarity: God does not need me in order to accomplish what He desires. 

Not in the slightest. 

He wants me to participate in the work He calls me to complete, but He absolutely does not need me. 

And the same is true for all of us. 

God could get a rock to do what I do each and every day if He so chose. (And if I’m being honest, He would probably have a lot less trouble with that rock than with me on some days!)

God desires a personal relationship with each one of us. 

The entire story of the Bible points to this truth. 

And the climax of that story is that God moved heaven and earth to reconcile us to Himself by sending His son Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. 

He wants a relationship with you, my friend. 

Do with that information what you will, but I want you to know that because our time to choose to be reconciled to Him won’t last forever. 

We don’t know how the story ends

This column is different than most I’ve written. 

In fact, this one reads more like an entry in a personal journey than a published column. 

You see, as I write these words about trusting God, we stand at a critical crossroads. 

Without going into detail, I want you to know that we are waiting for God. 

We’re waiting for His direction. 

His provision. 

His promise. 

And you know what? I’m not sure how the story will specifically end – which puts us in very good company, biblically speaking. 

But it’s tough. Very tough. 

We – my wife, children and I – are trusting Him with all of our might to help us navigate this stage of our journey. 

If you’re an entrepreneur or someone who has ever created something from scratch, you know what I’m talking about. 

You pour your heart and soul into your dream. You build the brand. The business. The product. The service. The overall infrastructure. 

And you reach a point where you’re on the verge of the next step, but you’re not quite ready to scale. 

You’ve got multiple irons in the fire. You’re burning the candle at both ends. Planning. Thinking. Preparing. 

And perhaps hardest of all … waiting. 

That, my friend is where we are right now. 

I tell you that with the quiet confidence that God will provide a way to navigate this phase of growth soon. 

This brings me to that other verse I referenced above. It’s found in I Thessalonians 5:24 and it reads: 

“The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!” (The Message)

Amen. 

Conservative, not bitter. 
Todd