Chapter 2 – Listening – Part 3

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3

Exercise 3: “But Why Wait?”

Finish each of these statements.

I would be practicing my art if only … I had a better portable laptop, but why wait? I knew where I could go to get the right instruction, but why wait? There were more opportunities, but why wait? I didn’t anticipate rejection, but why wait?

I’ll start making time for my art when … My time isn’t so cut up between family, work and church, but why wait?

I’d be doing my art now if it weren’t for … I don’t have a good place to do it, but why wait? I have no private place that is just my own that cannot be breached, but why wait?

Now go back and add “But why wait?” to the end of the three statements.

I get so exasperated. I’ve heard that there is a book about how political correctness destroyed America. I tend to agree. It might be destroying the church as well. I understand that a seminary will not turn a person away. The “correct” thing to say is that an institution will not say no to a call from God. But what if it isn’t in their gifts? One could argue that God can and will use them. But what if they turn people off or away? What if they could be better used by God elsewhere. American Idol isn’t politically correct. They have a tendency to be honest. Painfully so. You CAN NOT sing. How about you CAN NOT preach. Again … neither could Paul or John until the Spirit took hold of them. God works His strength through our weakness. But what if what is coming across is just “bad”? Why would you coerce someone to do something that they would not naturally tend to do? Why would you beg someone to do something that isn’t in their nature? Especially when you have someone who is gifted in that area and WANTS to do it. No coercion or begging necessary? It’s politically correct. I need to coin a phrase. I cannot be spiritually correct. It must be religiously correct, but not quite. Religiositally correct? Getting close … Welcome to my free form free for all Artist Daybook. Where I can get stuff out and move on!

But why wait? I have been shelved. I have been put in a queue. UGH!

May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”

2 Kings 4:13 (ESV)