I had some deadlines I was trying to meet, and errands that needed taken care of. I was in a hurried state as I ran the errands, causing me to be impatient.
As I was waiting in line to check out, I realized how much time we spend waiting. And, how we are typically in a hurry!
We wait for Uber rides, phone calls, vacations, and doctor’s appointments. We wait in check out lines and for packages to arrive.
Waiting for answers is a fact of life—nobody gets out of it. So the question is not if we will wait, but rather how we will wait. How we wait may also determine how long we wait or if we give up!
My impatience because I was in a hurry caused me to put my things back and leave. Now I just have to make that trip to the store again! I gave up.
As Christians, we also wait for…
His birth.
answered prayer.
His death.
His resurrection.
His coming again.
Our faith is often tested by waiting. Waiting on God, means that our life is under His authority and direction. If we move ahead without God’s direction, we live in a life of turmoil, anxiety and uncertainty.
That anxiety leads to impatience. That impatience may lead to giving up. Giving up on His direction and plan.
Waiting on God is not a passive state. It is an opportunity for growth, spiritual development, and active engagement in His plan. A plan where we focus on faith, trust, and obedience.
We learn about God’s perfect timing and His ability to be in charge of every detail. We so often long for proof, but that is where faith comes in. Faith is believing and trusting in God, even without seeing and knowing.
Hebrews 11:1 gives us the definition of Faith – “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:6 says “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
In the Merriam Webster dictionary, the definition of waiting is, to remain stationary in readiness or expectation; to serve.
So what do we do in the wait?
Focus on the readiness of your spiritual development.
Be in prayer – Seek God’s guidance, strength and wisdom during the wait. Ask Him to give you an open mind, a humble heart, and faithful feet. To know, accept, and walk where He is guiding you.
Study His word – His word is truth. Allow His truth to shape your understanding and deepen you faith in the plan He is forming.
Focus on how you can serve others.
Serve and minister to those around you, showing compassion and love. You can do this by engaging and participating in church and/or community outreach.
Be in the present moment. If you focus on the future, you are missing what God is needing from you now. Because if this is your life, if this is where you are at, then this is where God is too. Don’t waste time worrying about a future you have no control over.
What is unknown to us, is not unknown to Him.
Lent is a time for waiting. Waiting for his death. Waiting for Easter Sunday. The resurrection. The grace we receive because of His love for us.
I pray for strength. Strength in our faith to trust in His plan. Be encouraged and take time to grow spiritually during this season.
His gift of grace provides us His love, forgiveness, and acceptance even though we haven’t earned it. It’s a gift that can transform our lives and relationships.
It’s worth the wait!
With love and joy,
Laura
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