If there is one mystery of life that makes me especially curious at this juncture, it's the mystery of waiting.
I could list off a few things that I individually am waiting for, but -- bigger than that -- the whole story of God's covenant relationship with His people and with the church is one of waiting: first waiting for the Messiah to come, and now waiting for Him to come back. I find that comforting, because it assures me that the lessons that I learn in my temporary waitings can teach me something about the waiting He's determined for all of us to live out.
My impatience makes me want to complain against God for the times He's made me to wait, but at the same time I see that those are the times where I learned most about His character and His faithfulness in the constant reminder that He only has control of the future.
Waiting is good (by "good" I mean good).
Waiting forces me to see His gifts for what they are -- gifts. Evidences of grace. And they're from Him. Somehow this is more clear with requests that have been "waited for."
2 comments:
I get frustrated over waiting for things too. Funny thing is I don't know exactly what it is I want to happen so quickly. If God gave me everything I asked for when I asked for it I'd be in a heap of trouble, as my wants are always changing and the things I often want aren't good for me. Lately I've been thinking about this verse:
Philippians 4:6
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
It seems to me if I'd spend the time in prayer and supplication, thanking Him for what He has done I wouldn't probably still want the same things I often ask for from Him. I'd want wisdom and understanding, patience and love. I wouldn't have to wait for those things.
As you can see you really got me thinking. Let me know if you have any other thoughts on this.
Waiting is definitely a pain. But I found that waiting also reaps great rewards. Like one time I was forced to wait for something........and God drew me into a closer relationship with Him. Because what happened was I starting praying for what I wanted. And He didn't give it to me right away. So I kept praying, and praying, and praying, and praying.....and before long I realized.......Wow! All this time I have been spending in prayer I have grown closer to God. Isn't it funny how God works? And then when He finally did give me what I wanted..........well I had learned how to be happy in my current state (before my prayer was answered). I had learned to enjoy my times with God in prayer and Bible Study; and just the day to day pleasures of life that He so often gives!
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