A Stepping Stone To A Great Gateway
On Tuesday we experienced something strange as what should have been a quick 30 minute task became a 4 hour delay.
My youngest son had met the qualifications to receive a driving permit so we embarked on what has always been a quick and easy trip to the Office Of Motor Vehicles.
Arriving at 9:45am taking a ticket in hand then finding our seat we began to discern something strange in the atmosphere. Many in the room had already been waiting for long periods of time, even with appointments. Others began telling stories of making multiple trips each time having to leave before receiving help. Two carried expired licenses from the difficulty in obtaining service. Quickly we learned it was a statewide problem and could not be escaped or avoided by choosing a different location. We were stuck.
We waited with hope thinking: “how long could it take?” They were serving #16 and we were #33.
The atmosphere was bathed in grace for us as we waited. I continued to glance at a clock on the wall not realizing that it had stopped.
Harboring a sense of expectation as we waited we believed that at any moment we would see movement. An hour passed quickly then another.
Living every moment convinced that soon the line would move and our number would be called I began to feel weak with hunger. (We had not eaten since late afternoon on the day before)
As we heard more stories of defeat, watching as movement had stopped my son said: “lets go.” I considered leaving but quickly realized we had already invested too much time to walk away empty handed.
Suddenly I decided to dig my heels in and wait and a strong conviction to endure strengthened my spirit as grace again flooded the atmosphere.
As we watched the clock our hunger increased. Many times I was tempted to try and leave to pick up lunch but each time I considered it there was movement in the line.
Many came in looked around and left. Others held tickets in their hands for a period of time but soon gave up and left.
I watched as each of the 3 ladies behind the desk took turns taking a lunch break and each time I thought “I wish I got a lunch break”. On 3 separate occasions the entire statewide computer system went down and everything stopped for 15 to 30 minutes.
In several instances excitement broke into the crowd as it seemed we were progressing only to watch helplessly as someone with an appointment walked in and jumped the line ahead of us.
Strangely I did not feel the urgency to pray fervently for breakthrough as would have seemed obvious instead I felt a still and steady fortification in my spirit to just ride it out.
Finally #27 was called. We were getting close. Another 40 minutes passed. By God’s grace our spirits remained steady.
Eventually to our great elation our number was finally called and we walked triumphantly to the front desk. Having more than all the paperwork needed to fully complete the task we advanced and left with the document in hand to bring my son to the next level.
A new door had opened for my son as I informed him that now he could drive anywhere as long as an adult is sitting next to him.
This was a war for the next level.
Feeling led to share this story with a friend I discovered that she was detained on the exact same day, at the same time of day and for the same duration of time.
The date was 3/11. After researching 311 I learned that it is a government number used to request a permit or “permission”. The City Of New Orleans calls it “your gateway to the city government”. From this I determined that gateway has opened in the Spirit for the faithful.
“The sun and moon stood still in the sky as your brilliant arrows flew and your glittering spear flashed.”
Habakkuk 3:11 NLT
This scripture speaks of the rapid, dominant, commanding moves of God during our time of stillness.
Some of you reading this have walked with God for years, even decades. Many have run after Him for decades as I have.
Today the Lord has confirmed 3 things. First: as you have waited on Him in passionate pursuit He has secured you in an unmovable position. He has fixed your stance. Second: as you wait in faith, bathed in grace, He is preparing your path. Third: the gateway ahead has opened for you and you hold the qualifications granting access.
As I took my son’s new permit in hand, still warm from the printer, I reached through the hole in the partition and grasped the woman’s hand feeling led of the Lord to say: “thank you, I appreciate you, God bless you.” A quick look around the waiting room revealed that my words had touched the hearts of many still sitting there. Countenances had changed. Hope had been imparted.
On the car ride home I felt such gratitude to God for His faithfulness. Considering: “what if just one of those ladies had decided not to come to work today? Or what if one or more just walked off the job while we were waiting?”
Take a moment to consider those the Lord has placed in your path in order to maintain Kingdom movement and direction in your life.
Value this moment in time as a stepping stone to a great gateway for your future.