Waiting. . .

God’s teaching me to wait. This week’s quiet times and readings have, in one way or another, led to or are about waiting on the Lord.

I have to be quite honest here, I hate to wait. I never went to Six Flags with Karen because I think it’s ridiculous to pay that much money to wait in line and sweat I’m the kind of guy who, when he gets an idea wants to go for it. . .let’s get it done. . .let’s make it happen! That’s how, in some way, I saw my role as an associate pastor - I’m the guy who makes it happen. I love making things happen. I cherish the thought of being the go to guy when something needs to get done.

But God has other ideas of what I should do right now. Instead of taking the lead and getting the ministry up and running, God is saying “wait.” Now I know that waiting on God is not a bad thing. In fact there are several passages of Scripture that encourage us to wait on God. They remind us that there are benefits in waiting on God.

• Genesis tells of us Abraham’s waiting 25 years for a son God promised him. Abraham was 75 when God made that promise
• David wandered around a bunch of caves and waited for about 10 years for God to place him on the throne of Israel
• The people of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years waiting for the promise land (yes, their wandering was due to their sin, but they still had to wait)
• There are also words of encouragement and blessing for those who wait

• Isaiah 30:18
• Psalm 27:14
• Psalm 33:20
• Psalm 40:1
• Isaiah 64:4

Yes, God’s Word is full of benefits and encouragement to wait upon the Lord. And, yes, I don’t like to wait. But, if I want what’s best for me, then I will wait. Ancy, yes, but, again, I will wait. I could move forward, but it would be in my power, my timing, and my idea of how things should be done. The best thing for me to do is to focus on God, His promises, His faithfulness, and His will. I also need to confess and submit any anxiety I feel in waiting on the Lord. Then I will rest in the assurance that His timing is never early and definitely never late.

I don’t like to wait because I’m impatient and I like to be in control. So why don’t you like to wait? Is it control? Is it a “get er done!” attitude? Is it patience? Is it something else. It takes a lot of guts to deny your own desires and nature and wait on someone else. I’m trying and would appreciate your prayers. Do you have the guts?

Waiting and Wondering,

Mike