Recently, I read through Exodus 14. The scene is this: Pharaoh's army is at the Israelite's heels, the people are panicking, and Moses finally speaks up: "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today...the LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." (vs. 13-14)
An inspiring, brief speech (which is my favorite kind). But then, Moses must have gone back to praying something like, "Oh Lord, I just told all these people you are going to save them. So, any time now, if ya don't mind. We're waiting on you."
I love the way God responds in the next verse: "Why are you still crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water . . ." In other words, God answered, "Moses, you dummy! What are you still praying about? Take action! I'll show up, trust me!"
I think that God requires us to take action before he shows up sometimes because it takes more faith. Could you imagine what an idiot you'd feel like if thousands of people were watching you to lead them to safety, you held out your hand, and then nothing happened? And yet, God told Moses to take the risk, with only a promise to rely on.
In the book, "Wild Goose Chase" (which I highly recommend), Mark Batterson says this in reference to Joshua 3:9-13 (this passage tells the story of when the Israelites are on their way to the Promised Land, and God tells the priests to step into the river: "You know why some of us have never seen God part a river? Because out feet are still firmly planted on dry ground. We're waiting on God while God is waiting on us!"
There is a time for everything:
A time for waiting, and a time for pursuing.
A time for silence, and a time for boldness.
A time for praying, and a time for worship and faith through action.
View of camp and lake Victoria
Setting up the tents. These tents will be placed upon concrete slabs once the pads are poured.
Katie with her crew taking down a rather large ant hill.
