Road to Redemption: The Story of Andrew Farmer – Waiting and Resting

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By Victoria Ostrosky

Being married is a good thing and being single is a good thing.  As the Apostle Paul said, whether you’re married or single is good.  Serving God and living for Him is the most important thing. For older adults, in Christian circles, being single can be a little difficult.  It seems that most church functions are geared toward married couples.  Unless, of course, you’re a teen-ager or young adult.

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Which can be a deterrent for some.  Who wants to show up and sit by themselves or feel like they have nothing to contribute in a group of married couples?

Andrew Farmer, originally from Jacksonville, has lived in the Destin area for about 11 years.  He was raised in a Christian home with a praying mom.  As Andrew says, “you can never outrun a praying mom.”  For some years he was into partying and drugs and alcohol.  But Jesus got ahold of him, and he’s been sober for 3 years.  “Once you eliminate those things, you have more room for Jesus.”

Andrew admits that it’s tough being single.  He has a wonderful 12 year-old son whom he loves and focuses on.  But being in your mid-thirties and single means he can get lonely, especially on weekends.  So, Andrew has learned to find more ways to serve to not only fill up the time, but immerse himself in a Godly environment to assist in his spiritual growth.

“I know God has someone for me.  I pray for my future wife.”  While he waits, Andrew uses the time wisely, seeking to continue to grow stronger spiritually.  “Never give up and stay obedient.”

 

Our lives are full of waiting. As children we are impatient to be adults.  As adults we’re impatient for the light to change or for the line at the grocery store to move.  We anticipate and we wait.  It’s not whether we’ll wait, but how we wait that is so important.  Way back in Isaiah 30:15, God said this to Israel: “In returning (repentance) and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength. But you were unwilling.”  And we’re all familiar with Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

When you think about it, there are numerous places in Scripture where God is inviting us to rest.  His desire is to commune with us and walk with us.  His rest is a rest from striving and worrying and wearing ourselves out.  Which is what we tend to do and then wonder why we’re stressed out and unable to feel His presence.  The idea that we are strong when we are resting in our Heavenly Father is astounding and contrary to what the world tells us.

A few verses farther in Isaiah 30, and verse 18, God says this: “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts himself to show mercy to you, for the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.” What a statement!

Jesus praised the faith of children and asks that we be like them.  Resting and trusting.  Happily waiting in His presence, knowing fully that we are cherished.

So, whether you’re waiting for God to bring you a spouse, or waiting for a job interview, or waiting for your life to ‘get better’, remember that God wants us to choose to rest in Him.  That should be our default for how we deal with life every day.

I’m certain Andrew would agree.  His default now is to seek Jesus’ presence in his life.  Finding ways to serve while he waits and rests is the source of his strength.

You can hear Andrew’s entire story and listen to many other incredible interviews on the weekly Road to Redemption radio show and podcast at www.rtrdestiny.com.

Sowal Editor
Author: Sowal Editor

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