“WAITING”

The Cambridge dictionary defines waiting “to allow time to go by, especially while staying in one place without doing very much, until someone comes, until something that you are expecting happens or until you can do something.” Yet, we find ourselves living in a culture that is driven by speed. We have computers that can travel faster than our fingers by simply speaking to it as we dictate. We have cell phones that can multi-task in record speed to save time. We have fast food at our fingertips and even have food delivered to our home via on-line shopping. All this made available to save time. Yet, we find ourselves busier than ever never catching up to the pace of life that we have succumbed to as we continue to go in circles.

We find ourselves programed to continue to go to the speed of life in our culture that waiting is not an option. We get upset waiting at the grocery line. We find ourselves irritated waiting for the light to change. We are anxious in the “Waiting Room” to be called for our appointment. If that isn’t enough then again, we find ourselves waiting for the results of our lab tests. Yes, waiting can truly be stressful if we allow it to control us. What does God’s Word say about waiting?

Isaiah 40:31

“ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

God’s word reminds us that we are to rest in Him. Our Father embraces us in that time of waiting. He gives us comfort during those times while we wait. It is a resting period while our strength in Him demonstrates that He is in control. We are to let go and let God take the reins of our life. It can be simple if we step aside and rest in His promises. Our anxiousness for quick results and speed only compounds our situation.

I recently had a doctor’s appointment and part of their routine is to take a blood pressure reading. As the nurse came in with the blood pressure cuff, I simply told her that I had high blood pressure and suffered from the white coat syndrome. I felt that if I warned her, she wouldn’t be so alarmed. I felt calm simply because I was upfront with her. After she removed the blood pressure cuff, she began to record it and said that the doctor would be right in. I stopped her and asked what my reading was. She answered me, “There was nothing alarming. It was 120/70.” Never in all my years having my BP checked in a doctor’s office was it ever normal. I have been accustomed to having it measured 2-3 times. As she left, I began to thank the Lord for His goodness because I was calm resting in Him and not what they were going to tell me. I truly had such a peace.

I began to reflect how our spiritual ancestors waited on the Lord. Sarah and Abraham waited 25 years before they had Isaac. Joseph waited 13 years, Moses waited 40 years. These were heroes that waited and were rewarded. This should remind us that we are in good company when we wait on God. I once read that God always answers. Sometimes He says, “No.” Sometimes He says, “Slow.” Sometimes He says, “Grow.” And sometimes He says, “Go.”

What are you waiting on? Are you single and waiting on that special someone to walk into your life? Perhaps you have met that special someone and are waiting for him or her to make a commitment. Are you without a job, desperate for a job, or tired of the job you presently hold, and are waiting for a better job to present itself? Are you waiting for the economy to rebound? Are you waiting for your children to grow up and leave home? Perhaps you are waiting for a prodigal, rebellious child to grow up and return home, at least to a right relationship with God. These situations and a thousand more, present themselves every year, every month, every day of our lives. We will always be waiting on someone or some situation. That's life!

Waiting is not characterized by fretting and worrying. Waiting is as much an attitude as it is an activity. God never recommends worrying! Why? It is worthless! It is an activity that is not centered upon Him! To wait is to trust, to rest in God's promises and provision.

When you find yourself in God's waiting room, here are three words to remember and consider.

First, when you find yourself waiting, Look. Look where? Look to God! The psalmist begins in Psalm 130:5a, "I wait for the LORD." We must learn to patiently wait on the Lord.

While sometimes being in God's waiting room has to do with timing, more often than not, it is all about teaching! We think we are waiting on God or waiting on someone else, when in truth God is waiting on us to learn a particular lesson, or to develop a particular character trait!

Waiting on the Lord is a matter of obedience. We learn obedience. Waiting on the Lord is a commandment to be followed for every Christian. Psalms 27:14 says, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

Waiting can be exhausting if you fight it, but restful if you surrender. Like a sailor trusting the wind to return, you can lean into God’s timing, knowing He sees the horizon you can’t. Peace comes when you stop forcing the tide and start trusting the current.