The Good Thing About Waiting

Do you like to wait?

I don’t. Especially in long check-out lines. It’s like the worst kind of waiting. And don’t we all try to guess which line will move the fastest? Aren’t we usually wrong? Thank the Lord for self check-out. At least we can control how fast it moves.

Isn’t that the goal? How fast can we move things along?

And new technology springs up daily to meet our demand for “on-demand.” And when demands are not met in a timely manner we grow impatient or even fearful. It’s the dilemma of our modern era. 

But sometimes we have to wait. We NEED to wait.

I remember last year when my son was born. He was supposed to be born in mid-September. He was over two weeks late. He made it to October. Nurses told us we could skip the newborn diapers. He was a big boy.

That September was full of waiting. So much waiting! But in the waiting, I experienced a great truth. God is there. He’s in the waiting.

Psalm 27:14 says “Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!” 

The difference between Biblical waiting and any other type of waiting is certainty. 

In a check-out line, there is uncertainty due to the cashier, people in front of you, and the culture of the store. While driving a car there is uncertainty due to other drivers, road conditions, stop lights, and accidents. At the DMV there is uncertainty due to… well… everything. You get the idea.

On the other hand, the Bible tells us there is certainty due to the One who is certain.

Jesus is the pure constant, the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is someone we can count on.

Biblical waiting is more like waiting for Christmas. Christmas is coming. It’s going to happen. Nothing you or I do can stop it or bring it sooner. Our worry, stress, and control will do nothing to accelerate things. 

We will just have to wait. It’s going to be great. But we’ll have to wait.

There is nothing we need to do—just be with Jesus. It’s the essence of the Gospel. It’s a picture of grace. It allows His strength to be made perfect in our weakness.

I love that! There is nothing I need to do. Just wait with expectation. Because it’s going to happen and He never disappoints.

And while we wait we have the opportunity to “be entwined as one with the Lord.” Meaning we can rest, connect, and learn how to trust in Him more deeply. We can surrender control.

That doesn’t mean I don’t wrestle with my own issues of control and impatience—because I do. There are days when I’m all out-of-sorts and then days when I’m at peace. There are days of fear and worry and days of trust and rest. 

But our issues aren’t bigger than His grace. So let’s rest in Him as we wait. Let’s set our hearts (again) before the Lord in surrender.

Remember—Something is actually happening while nothing is happening.

God is on the move. Deep work happens while we wait. Both in us and out there in our world.

So I invite you to trust in His goodness for today and His faithfulness for tomorrow.

By releasing our control to Him it opens the door to experience more of His love and peace. Let’s be intwined with His heart today and watch Him develop our maturity, character, and strength. 

While we’re waiting, we’re growing. And it’s prepare us for what comes next.

Don’t give up. Never lose hope. Christmas is just around the corner.

Prayer: “At each and every sunrise you will hear my voice as I prepare my sacrifice of prayer to you. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart.” Psalms‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭TPT

Resource: Take Courage (Kristene DiMarco)