It is good to tarry...

Do we live in such a fast food, microwave society that we do not know how to tarry at the cross?  According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, tarry means

1a: to delay or to tardy in acting or doing

b:  to linger in expectation: wait

2: to abide or stay in or at a place

I grew up watching the saints of the church tarry at the cross.  They took their concerns to God in prayer and they waited there on their knees until He answered.  It seems that now we are too busy pushing through our agenda to tarry on the Lord.  I may not have received my baptism in the Holy Spirit nine years ago if I had not tarried.

I wanted to be baptized. I researched, I read my Bible, I talked to my pastor and elders, and I prayed.  But it did not happen.  Then I went to a women's conference, and I just knew it would happen there.  But it did not.  I came home upset, angry and disappointed because I felt let down by the ladies I went with and by God.  I went to church that Sunday night and when the service ended I went to the altar. 

I was there for what seemed like an eternity.  I prayed.  I cried.  But I did not want to leave until I met God at that altar.  Everyone else had left except five others who stayed to pray through with me.  The others had gone on to a sundae social.  But I stayed on my knees.  One of the ladies finally knelt next to me and shared a vision she had with me.  Her vision was a child lost, looking everywhere for her father - going to and from, left and right.  And the Father said "I am right in front of you.  Run into my arms.  I have never left; I am always here."  The Lord wants you to crawl in His lap and fill you with His love - surround you.  Come freely into His arms.

After she walked away, there was a peace that came over me.  I received the baptism with evidence in speaking in tongues that night.  And I learned that I did not have to do or go anywhere special to meet with Jesus.  All I had to do was tarry.  All I had to do was wait and be patient.  God handled the rest.

I waited patiently for the Lord; 

he turned to me and heard my cry.

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire; 

he set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand. 

He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the Lord."

(Psalm 40:1-3)

It is hard to express how thankful I am to God for this gift or to those who were willing to tarry with me. Last night I read a footnote from my Life Application Bible for Acts 1:15-26.  During these verses the apostles were waiting for God's response to who should replace Judas.  The footnote says,

While the apostles waited, they were doing what they could - praying, seeking God's guidance and getting organized.  Waiting for God to work does not mean sitting around doing nothing.  We must do what we can, as long as we don't run ahead of God.

Sometimes it is good to tarry.