Waiting...
Let's face it, we all hate waiting. I know I do! I face that feeling everytime I go grocery shopping and always, always, always....end up behind a rather "slower individual" at the cash register. Whether it's in line at the grocery store or waiting to hear back from a job, I do not have the patience to wait. I'm thinking, "Don't these people know this could alter my life? Why do I have to wait?"
I have been thinking more and more about the term patience. Because the the cirrcumstances in my life I cannot control, I am forced to be just that. Patient. It shouldn't be that difficult right? Then why does it feel like tortue? As I am forcing myself to be patient and wait on the right timing of a situation, I am wondering what the outcome will be. Then I begin to plan out what will I do if it doesn't work out. What's plan B? What do I do in the meantime? I try and try to control my thoughts and just wait but I get more frustrated and start wondering why the decision cannot just be made known. Now. This is just not going how I planned! Wait a second, wasn't I supposed to be patient? Wouldn't it be easier if I just waited.
James 1:4 "But let patience have her perfect work..."
What is patience working on in my life? What's going on during the waiting period? I don't know that answer but I do know that God does. God has the power and ability to change my cirrcumstance or give me an answer but it wouldn't teach me anything. It would not teach me how to wait on Him. In times past, I've decided, "Ok, this time I'm really going to wait on the Lord." But the realization hit me that I didn't really know what the depth of that phrase meant. There are so many references to it in the Psalms. One of my favorites is Ps. 27:14. "Wait on the Lord, be of good courage; wait I say on the Lord." Then I came to this verse, one I've never noticed before. It's in II Thessalonians 3:5 "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."
This verse gave me a differnent persepective on waiting on the Lord. It's not as if he is running late and I am just tapping my foot or twindeling my thumbs just "patiently waiting" on Him to come through. No, it's the perfect balance of hope and contentment with what God can do with my life and where I am right now. He will direct my heart, as I wait for Jesus to fulfill my every need and desire. The perfect illustration is waiting on Christ to return for His children. He is not late nor is He going to be too early either. He will be right on time.
Yes, it's been over a month since I've heard a definitive answer. Yes, I'm growing weary of constantly wondering where the road will lead. But I'm waiting on the Lord. Who knows, maybe He is preparing the road for me and I may not realize it. During this "waiting period", I am learning to trust Him more. Regardless of how things might turn out, I am confidant that He is the only sure thing in my life.
Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ."
