Waiting

Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!  Psalm 27:14

Wait is not my favorite word!  I’m more of a GO kind of girl rather than a WAIT kind of girl!  I saw a great quote the other day that said “Our willingness to wait reveals the value we place on the object we’re waiting for.”  It made me stop a while and think about my posture and attitude while waiting, needless to say, I didn’t really like what I discovered about myself.  After seeing this quote,  I “stumbled” across this verse from Psalm 27 that contains the word WAIT twice…out of only twelve words total!  Think there is a message there? I’m passing it along to all of you today and I sure hope I’m not the only one who needs it!

After God was done whapping me upside the head, I had to stop and figure out what I was waiting for.  As I began to make my list, I realized some of the things were pretty silly. When I thought about how much I actually valued some of the things on my list I understood why waiting is hard.  Most of the things on my list weren’t important enough to wait for or really even wish for so I crossed all those off the list.  When it boiled down to the bottom of the pot here’s what I learned; the only thing on my list really worth waiting patiently, courageously and stoutheartedly for…is meeting Jesus.  Most of the stuff on my list, like Godly spouses for my children or happy retirement will just come in Gods own time, but Heaven…that’s the one I need to focus on.  I suppose if my focus is really truly there every day, everything else will be just as God desires…in his time…for his purpose and in his ultimate perfection.  As I came to this conclusion my peace was interrupted by panic when I thought, what if God doesn’t give me what I’m waiting for? Then my heart answered my mind as only God can instruct it to and I heard; if he doesn’t give me what I’m waiting for, that means he’s got something better…just wait and see!

Here’s another thought I have about waiting, it isn’t work.  It doesn’t require great effort like scrubbing the porch or organizing the office files or losing 40 pounds. (All silly things I’ve been waiting for…I told you there was some silly stuff on my list!) If we truly live the words of this verse from Psalm 27 our lives will get instantly calmer, more peaceful and much easier.  I’d like to end this post with a passage from Jim Beckman’s book God Help Me, “Think of the image of a sailboat.  The boat doesn’t do anything burdensome to respond to the wind in its sails – it simply moves forward propelled by the wind.  The sailboat responds by moving forward, but it is the wind that is carrying it.”  What are you waiting for?  If it is something of great value than be still and know God will provide the wind to move your sailboat! I’m thinking it just might be the perfect time to wish for a sailboat instead of a speedboat!

A Seed To Plant:  Make a list of all the things you’re waiting for. (Silly ones too!) Tuck it away for a day or two.  When you get it back out, ask God to give you eyes to see his plan and his timing as you evaluate each item on your list and think about its value.  

Blessings on your day!