What Do You Mean 'Wait'?

Be still in the presence of the Lord,
    and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
    or fret about their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:7 

 

Ever been to Disney World?  What's the one thing everyone experiences there, besides the shock of the cost of everything?  Everyone experiences the never ending standing in line to wait.  Granted, you can pay extra for a special pass that means you don't have to wait, but how many of us can afford such a luxury?  We don't like to wait, yet we go to places where we stand in line to wait, and upon our return home we share what a wonderful time we had.  Ever wonder why places like Disney offer passes for multiple days?  Because when you spend most of your time waiting, you don't get to do everything you want in one day. We hate to wait!  

 

But what about waiting on God?  We pray and expect instantaneous answers!  We quit praying because we don't think God is ever going to answer, "After all, I've prayed about it."

God tells us to be patient.  God's plans are ALWAYS better than anything we could dream up, and when it is God's timing, His answers will be revealed to us.  

 

There's a difference, believe it or not, between waiting and actively waiting.  Waiting is when we fume and pace and fuss and scream at the microwave to HURRY UP!  Active Waiting is making the most of your time while you wait.  For example, you have your phone with you, try downloading a bible app and spend your waiting time reading Scripture.  Or take a book with you that is encouraging.  Spend some time praying for those who wait with you.  Spend time asking God to show you opportunities to be His light while you wait.  God is extremely patient and always willing to show us opportunities.

 

Let me leave you with a Jesuit Prayer (I use a Jesuit app on my phone to help me focus and contemplate):

 

Abba,

 

We are often impatient and want immediate results, whether it is finding out a test result, waiting for someone to text us back, or want an answer to prayer.  Grant us patience to wait for Your perfect time in all things, and peace and comfort in times of anxiety. Like the blind man of Bethsaida, may we be willing to wait for the fullness of Your work in our lives to be revealed.

 

Amen.