Waiting is one of the most fundamental things human beings do. We wait in the restaurant, parking lots, at the ticket and checkout counters. We wait for water to boil and the snooze alarm to expire. We wait on taxis, trains, and school buses.
One could say, “We’re simply waiting on the schedule that moves us along.” Another might say, “We’re waiting to be waited on.” Someone else might say, “This is the price we all pay for getting ahead.” *snort* Yeah, right! It’s more like falling behind as I pass out from sheer frustrating boredom.
At most anytime during the day we’re waiting on something or someone, right? If waiting is so commonplace, then why is waiting so confounded hard? Oh, the mundane monotonous monotony! Spare me the ‘patience is a virtue, grasshopper’ speech. I ‘intensely dislike’ waiting. Especially when I want something right now.
Despite all of that, most of the time waiting is fairly easy for me. I’m not usually in a rush. I am pretty even tempered even in a long line. I really admire people that can tolerate a seemingly endless wait. When someone else starts getting pushy I do get flustered. Especially when the person behind me yells, “Next!” (Yes, this really happened. I was looking right at her when she said it. I guess she meant me.) Usually, I consider waiting ‘character building’ or mildly unpleasant therapy. But not today, I’m wound tighter than a clock spring. God REALLY must be trying to build my character!
A school bulletin board once read, “Patience is the ability to remain neutral when you feel like stripping your gears.” Well, I feel like stripping my gears. I’m ready to go. I’m waiting for the green light. I’m ready to pound the pedal to the metal! But all I can do right now is idle. Or better yet, just shut down to save energy.
Yup, I’m having a difficult time waiting. Although I don’t know why. I shouldn’t be all that ready to go because I’ve got no destination. I have no idea what I’m waiting to do. I’m rearing to go, but no focus. I’m all buckled in for a 10 second trip down a 1/4 mile track, but for what? More waiting?
The one thing I’ve learned is that waiting is an important part of the journey. The waiting has helped me to learn about myself. I’ve cleared a lot of stuff off my chest and off my desk. The waiting has made me more aware of my goals, my sloppiness, and the course corrections I need to make. Without which I might start off well only to slam into the wall or be disqualified. This was one thing that Paul warned us about. (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Another thing I’ve learned is that I waste a LOT of time of while waiting. There are any number of things that I could be doing while waiting. I’ve picked up a lot of stuff that I should have been working on. I’m refocusing on learning some new things. Waiting isn’t about stopping and doing nothing. Waiting is about refocusing on the important things that worry, self-doubt, and foolishness make us forget.
What do you do while you’re waiting? Maybe it’s reconnect with your wife, children, or old friends. Maybe it’s time to start a journal or blog. Maybe it’s time to rediscover reading or music. God would not have us idle while we’re waiting. (Psalm 46:10) God would have us ‘knowing’ more about him certainly. However, I think our time of waiting is best served when we’re trying to learn ‘many’ things.
So, here I am…waiting. I’m learning once again what it means to be patient, a man of character, a trusting and obedient follower of God through Jesus Christ. I’m learning, once again, how to breathe deeply and slowly. I’m learning to hold onto God’s ‘mighty right hand’ mighty hard and God has been faithful. Imagine that, God being faithful, who would’ve thought? The only ‘being’ in the universe that has promised to be faithful is doing exactly that and I am surprised! This is what I’m learning all over again, even though I knew it already, that God does have my best interests at heart.
Waiting is hard but it’s worth the time and effort. I’ve learned a lot in the past several weeks and months. I’m still waiting but I’m learning to see the broader outline of God’s plan. It is all about me living within God’s plan, in his timing, and ultimately through my obedience.
There, I’m through. Enough waiting…let’s post this and live thoroughly seeking God!
P.S. It took two more days to publish this.
