Stop Waiting

In the late sixties, it became fashionable for young Christians, of which I was one, to “wait upon the Lord,” as per the Psalm. The popular interpretation was that one should ignore any personal desire and wait for direction from God, seemingly a “Thy will not mine” attitude but it in reality a bow to eastern religions that label all needs and desires evil.
Today people say “let go and let God,” an admirable sentiment if it means letting go of pain, worry, hatred, etc.,” but not so if “letting go” means abdicating.
One possible outcome of abdication is wasteful but harmless: The abdicator watches as life runs down hill like spilled water to the lowest possible level—no goals, no ambitions, no dreams—a simple, howbeit harmless existence. Like the servant who buried his talent, these abdicators lead fearful, unfruitful lives.
Another likely possibility: Someone attached to the abdicator by love or family or both is forced to make life decisions for that person. The resulting stress is harmful to both parties and to the relationship.
The most onerous consequence: An opportunistic or psychotic person makes decisions for the abdicator, convincing him or her that those decisions are the will of God and that his or her compliance is a mark of righteousness. The result is pure evil.
I have come to believe that “waiting on the Lord” does not mean standing still but “waiting” in the sense of “serving”—doing the works that God created us to do; allowing Him to steer a moving vehicle, not forcing Him to push a dead one.
Only when we know and voice our desires can we ask that God’s will be done and recognize and accept when He gives us something better.