Two-years worth of income has not knocked on our door. In fact, this past week has been a quiet week without drama or surprises. Our middle son began his first job, but outside of that, it has been a “waiting on you God,” week.
I think for Westerners, Christian, non-christian alike, waiting is the most difficult thing to do. We live in such a hurried world filled with a hundred things to do at any given time, that waiting is looked upon as an inconvenience. This makes a close personal relationship with the godhead difficult because waiting is a core requirement.
The world today is so focused on time, activity, and achievement, that waiting is often viewed as being unmotivated, or not knowing what you want in life. Sayings like, “Just do it,” or “moving at the speed of life,” permeate our minds with such intensity that we are overwhelmed by it. “Get it now,” “If you act now,” or “It can be yours if you act today,” are the sirens song of the day. A spirit of greed has spread across the land, and if not attune to it, it sweeps you along a downward spiral of hurt, bitterness, and depression.
Waiting implies anticipation; something is going to happen at a certain time.
I recall being in Africa holding leadership meetings. A pastor of much reputation asked me about a Bible concordance. He wanted one to better help him study the Word of God. I remember thinking, I have three of them on my shelf in my office that I never use anymore because of the internet. I told him that I would get him one. The following year I returned with a concordance in hand. I was shocked to find that he still did not have one and that he accepted it as if it was a precious gem. He was incredibly thankful and patient. He waited an entire year, in anticipation of my getting him a concordance. He did not know how it would arrive, by mail, or personal delivery, but he knew it was coming.
His simple act of waiting taught me such a lesson about life. God the Father has spoken, God the Son has come, and God the Holy Spirit is now present; what more do I need? The Father said he will take care of me, the Son sealed that promise with his blood, and the Holy Spirit positions me to receive it at just the right time. I often do not know how it is coming, or when it will arrive, but I know it will come. This is waiting.
I could worry, fret, or despair about it, and it will still arrive at just the right time. I can become angry at God, shaking my fist toward heaven, and it will still arrive at just the right time. If I get discouraged—as I often do—I only have to read the word of God, the Bible, to remind me that it will arrive at just the right time.
This is a large part of what a close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is about. I get to know him by reading his word—the Bible—by talking to him—sometimes called prayer—and by being around others who know him better than I.
I wait in anticipation of his answer because he has proven—in his word, to me personally, or to someone I trust—that he will come through. Therefore, I wait because “it”—whatever it is—will arrive at just the right time.