WAIT

We live in a fast paced world filled with ‘instants’.  In the tap of an icon, snap of a finger, swipe of a card; and just like that, what we need is done.  Thanks to technology’s advancements! Technology has grown to the point of making us impatient people in waiting for what once required planning, queues and sacrifice.  Despite our fast paced living, there are still a lot of things in life which come with a period of waiting.  Living with ‘instants’ however has drastically altered and impacted lives. In some ways, it has crippled our ability to wait and experience the sense of joy and accomplishment that comes with receiving something we longed for.

I’m not very great at accessing and availing the ‘instants’ technology provides, and yet, I am never patient when it comes to waiting.  Whatever kind of person you are, waiting doesn’t seem to be anyone’s favourite these days.  If I may, WAIT seems to be one of the most dreaded four-letter word.

Wait is very much built into every aspect of our lives no matter how fast our world may be spinning.  As simple as it may seem, waiting is in the mundane things like traffic lights or billing counters; and in the much bigger things like, waiting for healing or for your business to grow.  Wait seems to be evidently more vibrant in a believer’s life!  What more?!  Every good thing seems to come with the certitude of waiting.

A few years ago, I learnt that when we surrender what we long for into God’s hand, WAIT can be – ‘What An Incredible Time‘ as He makes it all beautiful (Ecc. 3:11).  However, not all our waits make it feel like it’s incredible.  In hindsight, we may come to see something as incredible.  Or maybe knowing for sure what the outcome of a wait is may make it incredible.  For instance, a mum-to-be may find the nine months of her pregnancy incredible, knowing what lies at the other end of her morning sickness and labour is a bundle of joy.  But come on, let’s get realistic.  Our waits aren’t always as incredible as that.  Waits more often feel like: ‘What An Intense Time!‘ than incredible!

We often get discouraged and frustrated in waiting for things to change and become favourable for us.  In that process, we begin to doubt and question everything possible – from our desires, capabilities, and worth to God & His Word.  Yet, the silver lining to all this is having a Heavenly Father Who is full of emotions just as we are. He knows how we feel, He sees us through our worst moments and He understands us when we go to Him with our doubts and questions.

During this particular season of wait, after wrestling, pouring out my heart to God, feeling exhausted (and defeated in some sense) and on the verge of diving into disappointment, I found myself echoing in hope the words of the Psalmist “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord, in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13)

If you’re in a season of waiting today, big or small, – no matter how hard it is, take joy in the fact that you will see God’s goodness come through in all of it.  Whether you’re wrestling out your situation with God or tired and exhausted waiting, remember there’s always hope in waiting.  Abraham hoped against all hope… and his hope wasn’t in vain (Romans 4:18-22). In fact God works ALL things for the good of them that love Him (Romans 8:28).  So hold on to Him and know He’s not going to let you go till He has accomplished the good work He has started in you (Philippians 1:6).

Secondly, we often forget that in our waits, God is with us.  In fact, we read in Isaiah that He waits for us to come to Him, so He can show us His love and compassion.  He is a faithful God and blessed are those who wait for His help (Isaiah 30:18).  He’s waiting for you even as you wait for Him to come through. You are worth a lot to Him! And He will surely help you as you wait on Him.  As you dwell on that perspective, reach out to Him and ask Him to add new meaning to your wait. For God’s presence in a believer’s life makes any wait much more dynamic.

Here’s something to start with; today as you wait, ask & He will continue to

W – watch out for you & work out all things for you

A – adorn you with His love & anoint your head with oil each day

I – inspire you anew & inoculate your faith

T – train you to use the resources He’s entrusted to your care & transform you more to the likeness of Jesus. 

May God keep you far from the constant “in-tense” mode and help you find joy in the simple things of this life.  After all, He has given you life in all its abundance.  Embrace it as you wait on Him.

Remember through the waits of life, God continues to lead us into our purpose.  In such journeys, may our hearts resound with Psalm 27:14 – “Wait patiently for the Lord.  Be brave and courageous.  Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

May your WAIT not only be incredible but have a fruitful harvest!