While We're Waiting

Waiting can be so hard. You'd think since it's non-strenuous and inactive that it is would be relatively easy, but it's a challenge to wait.

God wants us to use our waiting time wisely. In The Count of Monte Christo, the main character did just that. He used the years he was in prison to learn everything he could from an old man. When his freedom finally came, he was well prepared.

Sometimes it is many years before we see the thing we are waiting for. Or like Abraham, we may never see what we are waiting for, this side of heaven.

Isn't it interesting to observe how different people spend their time while they're waiting at Doctor's offices? Some just sit and stare or hope to find a magazine to read and tv to watch. And then there are the people who actually come prepared for the wait. They bring their own book, or some knitting, a briefcase, etc.

There are times in all of our lives when we must wait on God. We want God to move or do something soon but it seems like he has forgotten about it. It takes too long. So we must wait on him. The Bible says that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. That verse has always intrigued me.  How can your strength be renewed simply by waiting on the Lord?

When you break it down to it's core, waiting involves a certain measure of resting. There are many instances in life where we have no choice but wait. Stop lights, shopping lines, ticket lines, doctor visits, children's activities (ballet, soccer, etc), the birth of a baby, someone having surgery.  We all  learn that waiting can be one of the hardest things to do. It seems to produce restlessness rather than rest.

But when we are prepared to wait productively, rather than passively, we can build up our strength. If I bring a book, journal, or handiwork with me wherever I go, I am prepared to wait productively. If I am in a situation where whipping out my book isn't really feasible, (e.g., standing in line at the grocery store) I can use that time to pray for the people around me.  If I am waiting at a stop light in the car, I can use that time to sing to the Lord.

I think when we're waiting on the Lord for something that we find particularly difficult to wait for, we can look at that wait time to find out what the Lord is trying to make us into. More than likely, the waiting has nothing to do with what we think and God wants to accomplish something in us. As we wait, we can grow deeper in our relationship with the Lord. And that makes us stronger.

Are you waiting on the Lord for something? I encourage you to ask the Lord how you can best redeem the time as you wait on him to bring about that thing that only he can do. Smile and take courage knowing that as you are busy doing what he wants you to do in the meantime, your strength will be renewed as you wait. And you'll be better prepared when the wait is over.

Comments

Unknown said…
I am waiting for my 4th baby to be born. I'm due July 10th but my babies have been known to come early. I've been using this time to enjoy and be thankful for full nights sleep! Thank you for all your recent posts. I've been reading them all. :-)

-Courtney
Courtney, congratulations on your fourth baby! I remember the interrupted sleep from my babies and it is a real challenge. Good thing it doesn't last too very long!

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