Stepping Back

This morning I was able to finish a Free Cell game that had me stumped all day Sunday.  For those of you unfamiliar with Free Cell, it's a Solitaire game which can be won every time  - yes, every time.  If you're skeptical, I understand.  I was too, but I can tell you anecdotally, that it's possible. 

Yesterday I tried several strategies to no avail.  Not wanting to ruin my record, I stepped back.  I decided to leave it until I could view the problem with fresh eyes.  This morning, I didn't perceive the difficulties that I couldn't get passed yesterday.  Hmmm.

It's not uncommon to come up against a problem or obstacle that appears unsolvable or too big to overcome.  It's a temptation to insist on staying with it until we decide we can't figure it out and then simply walk away. Often all we need to do is step back for a minute - or perhaps a little longer - and wait.

What are we waiting for?  If it's an intellectual problem we're waiting for our brains to solve the problem.  If it's something bigger, then - if we are Christians - we're waiting for God.  God to do what?  To speak or to act (which of course in God's case, is the same thing). 

I don't think I'm overstating things to say that if you're in a situation that appears confusing or that feels forced, then you probably need to step back.  Stepping back is not stepping away, although you may find that stepping away is exactly what you'll eventually do - especially if you're trying to force something that seems immovable.  However, you may also find that if you step back and wait, God will step forward and act.  What could be better than that?