Waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty,
to carry within oneself the unanswered question,
lifting the heart to God about it
whenever it intrudes upon one’s thoughts.
~ Elisabeth Elliot
Short and simple words posted on Facebook by my dear friend, Tami Heim, this week, and I haven’t been able to get them out of my head. I believe this quote is from Elisabeth’s book, Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ’s Control.
But since so many of us long for things beyond our control, I think these words are for us, too.
Have a beautiful weekend with some space to breathe.
In the stillness,
Sandy
Welcome to the Still Saturday Community where we pause after a busy week, move in quiet pilgrimage, maybe linger a while in some still place, and soak in the beauty of images and reflect on the depth of sparse words. We’d love for you to join us. Grab the button and link up below. We all love to hear if something especially speaks to your heart, but please don’t feel pressured to comment. Simply take some time to be still together, to gaze long and drink deep.
That’s a powerful quote!
I thought so, too! Happy weekend, friend.
I so needed this quote – need to bear uncertainty with hope! priceless thought~timeless!
I’m sorry you needed it, Maryleigh. But I’m glad it was here when you did. 🙂
We don’t like to “bear uncertainty” do we. A wonderful quote, Sandra. Thank you. May you have a beautiful weekend as well. Much love to you my friend. xox
Knowing is much nicer. 🙂
More love to you, dear Patricia. xox
And when I read this, I exhaled. Yes, Waiting on God requires bearing uncertainty. Thank you, I feel normal again.
And patience… I’ve never really liked limbo land very well. I like that settled feeling. But it seems like every time we settle, He changes things up. 😉
That last image is sure something to behold – beauty in all colors, sizes, and hues – a lot like us, aye?
Blessings.
A lot like us, yes. I took that in the Upper Peninsula. Makes me breathe deep in the looking.
A well-timed word Sandy. Thank you.
Ah, Linda. I miss you! Bunches.
Why is bearing uncertainty so difficult when we can be certain of the loving God we serve? Not really looking for an answer – just pondering. Thank you for the link-up, Sandy.
Good question, Heather. Maybe it has something to do with not feeling in control?
Thank you for this much-needed message, Sandy, from one of my favorite authors (well, two! I love your writing so much, too). I love that Elisabeth always tells truth. She is a no-nonense author, but she always gives us hope midst difficult truth. Waiting often requires bearing what can seem like an unbearable burden–uncertainty and questioning. But Elisabeth gives us the hope that we can bear waiting if we turn our unanswered, questioning heart to God. He alone has the answers. And even when He doesn’t *seem* to answer, He, Himself, becomes the answer. We find safety and satisfaction in Him that transcends the waiting and the wondering. Sandy, I am so excited to share with your readers that they can hear Elisabeth’s “old” Gateway to Joy radio program. A friend recently told me about this, and I have been in heaven. Elisabeth broadcasted the program for ten years, and apparently BBN just started the re-airing it back in April. So this is just the beginning! I didn’t start listening until August, and unfortunately, they only have one week’s worth of archives at a time on their website, but at least as I continue to listen, I’ll hear the majority of her programs. You may listen here and adjust the time for your own tme zone: http://www.bbnradio.org/wcm4/english/RadiobrBroadcast/Programs/ProgramScheduleandLinks/tabid/459/ItemID/636/Default.aspx
I had the great privilege of meeting Mrs. Gren (as I preferred to call Elisabeth Elliot) in the nineties, I think it was. She granted me an interview on prolife, for which, unfortunately I didn’t fine a “home.” What an incredible woman she is, and what words of wisdom she shared with me. I’m so glad that you have quoted her here so that I have an opportunity to let people know about Gateway to Joy! I know you will love hearing her again.
And may I also say, Sandy, what a joy you are! Thank you always for uplifting us!
Blessings,
Lynn
Oh, this is awesome, Lynn. Thank you! I can’t wait to head over there to listen. You are always such a great encouragement to me.
Is there anyway you can dust that interview off and try again?
Powerful quote, Sandra. And those trees are amazing. Thanks for sharing the stillness. 🙂
Thanks for joining in the stillness, Jason. Lifting a prayer for you this morning.
What a beautiful quote and so worth pondering!
Do you spend as much time in the waiting room as I do, Donna? 😉
This quote is so applicaple to so many circumstances in our lives – learning to trust and wait on God.
So true. I must not be learning my lessons very well. Seems I’m always having to repeat them. 😉
I LOVE those photos!!! Just grabbed my attention and me again. YOU did amazing pieces of words and pictures. Thanks.