THE PROBLEM OF WAITING

Wait on the LORD: be of good

courage, and He shall strengthen

your heart; wait I say, on the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

Confession time: I hate waiting at any time, in any way, no matter the reason. In these days we live in, waiting isn't on the agenda of anyone I know. We live in a busy time and want things in hand or soon coming no matter what.

I recently had a fender bender and went to the collision place I had chosen. I went looking for an old metal building with cars strewn about, looking like a bomb had hit. The place I arrived at was just the opposite. After taking pictures and all, I was taken to a waiting room. Everything was so neat and in order and the room itself reminded me of a doctor's office waiting room. We've all been in places of waiting. We may wait in a waiting room of sorts or an entry way of a restaurant, waiting for our name to be called. We no longer have waiters in our eating places. I guess server sounds better.

We wait in lines...grocery stores, mall shops, stop lights where the first person in line never moves quickly enough after the light turns green. At times, we may have to wait for reports on medical tests we've endured. Sometimes a much needed check seems slow in coming through the mail. Waiting just goes on and on.

The meaning of waiting for most folks in simple words is staying put until something anticipated happens. No matter how it's defined, we still don't like it. Biblically I read where waiting can involve positive anticipation, hope and trust. I know we are anticipating our Lord's return. Even in our praying, however, we can become impatient with the Lord. We pray for or about something and hope our prayer will be totally answered as we want it to be within at least ten minutes or even an hour.

God's hope that in all our waiting, no matter what for, that patience will be worked into our lives. James 1:3,4 speaks clearly regarding God's hope for patience being a vital part of our spiritual journey...”But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Impatience will never work well in the life of a growing Christian. God doesn't leave us to flounder. The Holy Spirit is ready to empower us to do those things that are impossible to do on our own whether standing in line or sitting in a waiting room.

Thank You Father for Your patience with us and for Jesus' example that shows us who and what we can be for You. In His precious name....Amen