“I hate waiting” – Ańigo Montoya

Okay, if you recognize the movie quote from above, you are either as old as I am or your parents raised you well. It’s a  quote from the epic movie, The Princess Bride. I think that the character Iñigo Montoya  said out loud what we all feel on the inside. I don’t know anybody who likes to wait for anything (especially us Americans!). But, the reality is, that waiting is a huge part of the Christian experience. The word “wait” (or a variation there of) appears over 135 times in the Bible. The father of faith, Abraham, had to wait 25 years for the  promised child. David was anointed king of Israel, but had to wait approximately 10 years to see it happen. There are scores of other examples, not to mention the Psalms and the Proverbs. The point is, Christian, God intentionally designs it to where sometime we are forced to wait. And wait we must. But  why?! Well, I’m sure I don’t know all of God’s reasons. But, this I do know. God wants to use those waiting seasons in our lives for our good and His glory. Let me point out a few quick reminders as an encouragement to those who are in one of those waiting seasons. First of all, The Biblical word “wait“, basically means to “delay, long for”. But, it carries the idea of expectation. In the New Testament, the word “hope” carries the same idea of “confident expectation”. Here’s my point; Often times our seasons of waiting force us to make the Lord our expectation. He once more becomes the object of our expectation, not just the means to an end. If you are like me, when there is a delay in my plans I can tend to scramble. I start trying to manipulate, “fix” or “make it happen”. One of the things that a “forced waiting time” does for me is it puts my focus  back on the Lord. I am forced back into a place of intimacy and dependence. I remember once again that “without Him I can do nothing”. Another thing to consider is that sometimes we have to wait simply because God is working things out! God sees everything, knows everything, and is working everything out (Romans 8:28)! Inevitably, when God does something I have been waiting for, I have to admit His way is perfect! His timing is always better than mine would have been! Give Him room to work! Lastly, and maybe related to my first point, waiting makes us press into Him. When I am waiting and not sure what to do, it causes me to want to get quiet before God. It causes me to want to be in His Word and actually spend time praying. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I tend to really press into my relationship with Him more during the hard times. Like many of you, we are in period of waiting. Our flights to Germany just got cancelled last week. There is a travel ban that is keeping us out way longer than we had hoped. So, like you, I am trying to make the best of this time and not waste with complaining, scheming, or being idol. I don’t always do a good job, but I am learning to be one who truly, “waits on the lord”. “From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides You, who acts for those who wait for Him.” Isaiah 64:4