Saturday, May 30, 2009

Learning to Wait

When I was a child, I remember my parents telling me to wait until Saturday, wait until Christmas, or wait until you are older. It was always, "Wait, Wait." I have found this to be one of the hardest words to hear. In John 11:6, Mary and Martha had sent for Jesus to return home because their brother, Lazarus, was sick and near death. But Jesus waited 2 days before He returned to Judea. I'm sure that they must have asked the question, "Where is God when I need Him?" Throughout Scripture we are told to wait and be patient:
~ "Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them" Isaiah 30:18.
~ "Don't be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you...Yes, wait and he will help you" Psalm 27:14.
~ "It is better to be patient than powerful" Proverbs 16:32
~ "A patient man has great understanding" Proverbs 14:29
~ "Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful" Romans 12:12


During the last several years, waiting has been a difficult aspect. I think waiting is a struggle for most people. When things are going well, we wait for them to get better. When times are hard, we wait for circumstances to improve. We wait for good things in anticipation and frustration. And when we are sick or in trouble, he waiting can be more excruciating. We should not be surprised that so many passages in the Bible speak about enduring and being patient. Jesus said that in this world we would have trouble. He didn't specifically add that a lot of our trouble would involve waiting.

Why is waiting so hard? Sometimes we are in a hurry because we want the outcome so badly. We just have to know. Another reason I think waiting is so hard is that it takes away our illusion of control. Our spirit rebels against this reminder that our time and agenda are not our own. A lot of life is outside of our power and control.

When we faithfully endure, we develop the character and virtue of waiting. I have found that the more I learn from waiting, the stronger my faith becomes. One of the greatest lessons we can learn is that God does not abandon us, He does not forsake us, and when we are waiting for answers, change, healing, and hope, He is with us.

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT!!!

2 comments:

Cindy said...

Well spoken in much Truth, Carly! I can't "wait" to see you again! I love you bunches!

Sam, Sarah, Claudia, Camile, Maya, and Gabriel said...

Thanks for this post, Carly. What an appropriate post for Pentecost Sunday--the 120 in the upper room who waited...and waited...and waited... I can't imagine the anticipation those people must have been feeling...and what awesomeness when the Holy Spirit was finally sent!

I love you, and I CAN'T wait to see you! ;)