Waiting is a regular part of life, and something that is often not our first preference. That may be putting it lightly: I'm not sure anyone finds waiting wonderful in itself. We wait out of necessity or because of beneficial end results. When shopping we survey our options based on which lane will save the most time. If the lines to pay are very long and the self-serve area is open, we might choose that option to save time. If waiting wasn't an issue, we wouldn't regret our choice if our lane took the longest.
I have discovered recently I often view waiting as wasting time. This is a perspective I believe God wants to change in me. I recognise waiting is inevitable, but sometimes I am annoyed at what appears to be unnecessary delays. On the golf course I aim to be as efficient as possible, approaching golf as an aerobic exercise rather than a leisurely stroll. When there are players in front of me who are overly social and have no sense of urgency to clear the green, feelings of impatience begin to mount. These feelings can spring upon us suddenly: whilst driving behind a slow moving vehicle, when you have been placed "on hold" on the phone, or when the garage door button needs to be pressed and held for the door to open.
The Bible reveals waiting times are always working times. God is always working, and in ways which He sovereignly has ordained to take time. Think about planting seeds or the gestation of a child in the womb. Without proper time to develop, plants nor people can survive. It takes time for the sun to rise and set. Cities are not built overnight, nor can nations form in an instant. Skills at mathematics or sports are developed over many years and through much training. We do not question any of these things. But when we are suffering or struggling, we wonder why comfort and respite seem so far away. We wonder why God doesn't do something. But God is doing many excellent things, whether we recognise them or not.
We find perseverance to joyfully endure with unfailing hope when our gaze is fixed on our LORD Jesus Christ, the One who will never leave or forsake us. God has given us exceedingly great and precious promises we ought always to lay to heart. The scripture is full of examples of people who waited a long time and were blessed to see the LORD fulfil His Word. And even when they were not able to see with their eyes the salvation of the LORD, it has been recorded for our benefit that we might believe. We can gladly entrust our souls to our Maker, for our times are in His hands. He is not ignorant of our struggles, nor is He easily overwhelmed as we are. He rules over all and is able to do miraculously, marvellously, and great wonders for the glory of His name and our good.
God does not waste time but He works, and this is for our benefit. Paul wrote in Romans 8:28-29, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." All the circumstances of our lives are able to be utilised and leveraged to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ as members of His eternal family. Can anything be better than this end result?
I have discovered recently I often view waiting as wasting time. This is a perspective I believe God wants to change in me. I recognise waiting is inevitable, but sometimes I am annoyed at what appears to be unnecessary delays. On the golf course I aim to be as efficient as possible, approaching golf as an aerobic exercise rather than a leisurely stroll. When there are players in front of me who are overly social and have no sense of urgency to clear the green, feelings of impatience begin to mount. These feelings can spring upon us suddenly: whilst driving behind a slow moving vehicle, when you have been placed "on hold" on the phone, or when the garage door button needs to be pressed and held for the door to open.
The Bible reveals waiting times are always working times. God is always working, and in ways which He sovereignly has ordained to take time. Think about planting seeds or the gestation of a child in the womb. Without proper time to develop, plants nor people can survive. It takes time for the sun to rise and set. Cities are not built overnight, nor can nations form in an instant. Skills at mathematics or sports are developed over many years and through much training. We do not question any of these things. But when we are suffering or struggling, we wonder why comfort and respite seem so far away. We wonder why God doesn't do something. But God is doing many excellent things, whether we recognise them or not.
We find perseverance to joyfully endure with unfailing hope when our gaze is fixed on our LORD Jesus Christ, the One who will never leave or forsake us. God has given us exceedingly great and precious promises we ought always to lay to heart. The scripture is full of examples of people who waited a long time and were blessed to see the LORD fulfil His Word. And even when they were not able to see with their eyes the salvation of the LORD, it has been recorded for our benefit that we might believe. We can gladly entrust our souls to our Maker, for our times are in His hands. He is not ignorant of our struggles, nor is He easily overwhelmed as we are. He rules over all and is able to do miraculously, marvellously, and great wonders for the glory of His name and our good.
God does not waste time but He works, and this is for our benefit. Paul wrote in Romans 8:28-29, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." All the circumstances of our lives are able to be utilised and leveraged to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ as members of His eternal family. Can anything be better than this end result?
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