When's the last time you encouraged someone who did very well in school to just wait?

Don't be ambitious.

You're gifted, you're good, you're capable, they'll find you.

And I say that especially in God's work, don't be ambitious.

God knows what he's about.

When God places us in a season of waiting, we're prone to think we've been overlooked.

We feel abandoned.

In reality, God sometimes uses periods of obscurity to shape our character and prepare us for something big.

Today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall draws these observations from the life of Paul the Apostle. Paul, you recall,

spent several years isolated in Tarsus, where God prepared him for an exceptional season of ministry.

Ever feel like you've been sidelined? You'll be encouraged today. Chuck titled his message,

Out of the Shadows.

Our Father, we pause in an unusual experience of silence in our back-to-back nonstop world to express to you our adoration.

For the Lamb, for the mercy, for the grace, for the blood, for the plan that of all things included people like us. Our Father, we have not the words to say, and therefore we entrust to you the feelings of our hearts, even as your word speaks, these groanings that cannot be uttered.

And we pause as a people of yours to reflect again upon that priceless gift that came from your heart of love,

and out of grace came down to this earth,

even to those who did not receive him, did not welcome him, and he gave himself fully.

Thank you, Father, for lifting the curse that was against us.

Thank you for freeing us from the command of our enemy ruler who controlled our thoughts and dominated our wills.

Thank you for the victory he brings through Christ.

Our Father, we now want you to know that these offerings express to you just a measure of our

gratitude. We give them joyfully and gratefully and generously.

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