In his
classic, Knowing God, theologian J.I. Packer said “Wait on the
Lord" is a constant refrain in the Psalms, and it is a necessary word, for
God often keeps us waiting. He is not in such a hurry as we are, and it is not
his way to give more light on the future than we need for action in the
present, or to guide us more than one-step at a time. When in doubt, do
nothing, but continue to wait on God. When action is needed, light will come.”
The Type-A,
driven, control freaks among us have already moved on to read something else.
Waiting is not in their vocabulary and they don't know how to wrap their heads
around the concept. I know, I used to be one. The busier I was the
more productive I thought I was. And then I realized that I was missing a lot
more than I was actually getting done. Time has a funny way of teaching
new lessons to old dogs if they are willing.
I've
learned (no I'm still learning) that waiting can be a great teacher. You
learn things about yourself, faith, people you love and life in general. Most
of my late 20's to 30's was about cramming as much into a day as I could
without ever stopping to consider if my bag could hold it all, or if it should.
Some of
God's favorites had big lessons in waiting: Moses (40 years in a desert);
Joseph (prison); Hannah, Sarah and Rebekah (barren and waiting for a
son); Elijah (for the still small voice of God); Ruth (to be redeemed
by Boaz); David (for Saul's reign to come to an end) ; Mary & Martha
(for Jesus to come to Lazarus); and Cornelius (for Peter to share the Good
News). And there are many, many more examples.
And of
course we can't leave Jesus out. He knew his purpose and mission from day
1 and yet He had to wait three years for God's will to be fulfilled through His
death, burial and resurrection. But think about what happened during
those three years: the disciples were mentored by the very Son of God so
they would be prepared to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. Not to mention
the thousands of lives impacted by Jesus' ministry with skin-on and the
disciples' eyewitness accounts would go on to challenge and change lives for
centuries through their gospels. The "waiting" for Jesus was an
opportunity to teach us that life is in the living for God.
We want God
to "fix it" and now! So many times our prayers are filled with
words telling God what He needs to do to make this/that right in our life.
Instead of listening and waiting, we actually exercise the smallest of
faith by pressing God for a quick response that may not even be part of His
holy and perfect plan for us! Tim Keller says, "God’s sense of
timing will confound ours, no matter what culture we’re from-His grace rarely
operates on our schedule.”
C.S. Lewis
was right, we are far too easily pleased and willing to settle for so much
less. And before you "control/fixer" types accuse waiting
of inactivity, or passivity, think again. John Waller's signature song While
I'm Waiting captures the essence of biblical waiting:
I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it is painful, but patiently I will wait
And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait
I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it's not easy no, but faithfully I will wait
Yes, I will wait
And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait
I will move ahead bold and confident
I'll be taking every step in obedience, yeah
While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
And I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You Lord
Wait on the Lord!
It's okay. Trust Him. He
really does know what’s best and when even if we don't understand it right now.
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