Patience has never been a strong suit of mine. It is with age that patience has come. I have learned that God’s timing is always right, and I am usually a bit ahead and often wrong. God is not truly my leader if I stay out front asking Him to bless what I am doing, rather than asking what He is blessing. Waiting on God to give new life, revival, spring, and renewal is a hard lesson.
We have ducks every year that nest in the area. This year one is very near. My wife saw an egg under the bush and realized she had made a nest close to the house. Day after day, the duck lays one egg at a time. After four days, four eggs. She can lay 8 to 13 eggs, and so for 8 to 13 days, she lays one egg a day. She will wait until they are all laid before she begins to sit on them. Why? She wants them all to hatch at the same time.
After she has prepared the nest and laid the last egg, only then can she sit on them. And sit, she will. She may leave briefly to eat, but for the most part, she will rely on stored fat to get her through the next 28 days of incubation. Then the eggs will all hatch within 24 hours of one another. After that, she will have ducklings to care for, and they will follow her in a straight line in the water. (Mother ducks always have their ducks in a row.) That is patience.
The female Mallard is not lounging around before she starts sitting on the eggs.
- She has chosen a site.
- She has prepared a nest.
- She has laid an egg each day for 8 to 13 days.
- Then she sits, protecting, incubating, waiting, for 28 days.
- She has prepared for new life.
As church communities, we must prepare for the work of God in and through the local church. The local church is the hope of every community. Before we saw revival in any of the churches, I was privileged to be the pastor:
- We chose to be a site of renewal, even if it meant others would demean our reputation.
- We chose to prepare the church community for renewal. We prayed for the Holy Spirit to bring us to repentance and to create a hunger for more of His Spirit, more of Jesus. This was the focus of the church. It was mentioned often, and nearly every time the community met in small groups, special events, or regular services.
- We visualized the new birth of many as they came to Jesus Christ.
- We protected our time and our energy and waited.
- In God’s time, new life came. With this new life came many challenges for our community. New life and new babes in Christ bring changes to church life.
- As some resisted the renewal, we loved them but pressed forward.
I don’t know if we can ever get our ducks in a row! The mere existence of the Church is a testament to the miraculous God we serve; however, I do believe that God will breath new life into any church who seeks it.
If you want renewal–Don’t get discouraged. Learn from the Mallard and new life will come. He has promised it.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Jim Allen,
June 15, 2020
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Dr. James D Allen
Dr. Allen served as a seminary VP, pastor, and as a trustee on a Christian mental health Board. He has earned a BA, MA, MA Biblical Counseling, Doctor of Ministry. Dr Allen has also preached on 5 continents, lived in 3 nations, and so has a diverse Christian experience. He has a distinguished career of being a pastor, consultant, author, and educator. MY FIRST LOVE--Being a Pastor and encouraging others!