Wait for the “Dey” God has Planned

By Del Duduit

Uncertainty.

No one enjoys the feeling. But some of us experience it often.

It refers to situations that are unknown – and can give birth to uneasy emotions about predictions of the future.

No one knows what’s going to happen tomorrow – except God.

We all have planners and make reservations for events that might happen, but in the end, we don’t know if it will take place or not.

For example.

For the moment, Andy Dalton is the quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals.

I’ve met him several times and have interviewed him exclusively on five or six occasions. We are not “best friends” although he now knows who I am when see him in the locker room after a game.

Because of a feature piece I wrote on him for Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Magazine, I had the pleasure to converse with his mother, Tina, who lives in Katy, Texas.

I contacted her and we hit it off so much that she and her husband agreed to write an endorsement for my book, Bengal Believer: 40 Who Dey Votions for the Cincinnati Faithful.

But this past season was not what the Bengals organization had hoped for. The team went 2-14 and finished in last place.

The 6-2, 200-lb quarterback from Texas Christian University has been a starter since he came into the league in 2011. He is a three-time Pro-Bowl selection and holds several Bengal records, including the franchise leader in passing yards, touchdowns in a season and in a career.

 

But for three games this season, he was benched.

I spoke to him after he sat on the sidelines during a loss where he watched, instead of played.

He was a little dejected, but he told me he wasn’t worried about the future. It was in God’s hands.

That’s easy to say. But for me, it’s hard to put those feelings into actions.

As for Andy, he said in the press conference after the final game that he wants to play for a team where he can start.

His fire still burns, and he knows he can contribute on the field.

Lately, I have been experiencing similar emotions. I am not going through a mid-life crisis. but I believe I am at a crossroads in my life.

I know there is something big out there for me to accomplish, but I also need to be on a team where I can be on the first string.

These last three years of writing have been overwhelming at times. My platform has blown up, and I have been published by some large outlets, including Athletes in Action, Sports Spectrum as well as Focus on the Family.

I appreciate my job but cannot get away from the fact that I need to do something that has more meaning and can impact people in a better way.

The notes of encouragement I receive combined with the awards seem to be telling me something.

But I can be my own worst enemy. Patience is not my best quality.

The Lord is going to use me, but I must wait on His timing and prove Him to come through for me at the right time.

I know Andy will be okay. He’ll be on the field next year either in Cincinnati or some other city, and I’ll catch up with him or send him a text.

If the Bengals sign Heisman Trophy Winner Joe Burrow – as everyone expects – then that will tell Andy he needs to go elsewhere. After all, it’s business.

But that will be his sign.

We all need to watch for God’s signal. It’s hard to do, but it must be that way.

If players disregard the calls from the bench, then it could have dire consequences on the game. That’s why they practice certain plays for key moments and use signals the other team cannot decipher.

I must be a team player and wait to see what play the Lord calls for me. Am I ready? Of course. Amy I anxious? Oh, yes. I want to make the big play and spike the ball in the end zone and celebrate.

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The waiting game is the worst part. For me, and now for Andy.

But I do have some distractions to help take my mind off things right now:

• I have two manuscripts that are due soon.
• I have two grandchildren that I love to spend time with.
• I have events scheduled over the next few months that are exciting, including conferences in North Carolina and a Book Show in NYC.

Good things will happen to me, and to Andy. His attitude helped me when we spoke a few weeks ago. He said it’s in God’s hands.

Now here are three ways we can have full trust in His plans for our lives when there is uncertainty:

• Thank God for all of your blessings, even if you can’t see them right now.
• Tell Him you are ready to get into the game.
• Sit back and trust. It might come in the first quarter, or in overtime, but it will happen.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3: 6

Do you trust God to take care of you? Are you the type to take matters into your own hands? How does that work out?

Who Dey?

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

 

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