Wait for it. . .

Wait.

A word we would rather not hear in our fast-paced, over-scheduled lives. In our internet-driven world, we have instant access to constant news and information. With the touch of a button or the tap of an app, our wait time has decreased to seconds.

What comes to mind when you hear the word “wait?” Does the word “wait” give you a good feeling or make you uneasy? Do you become excited anticipating a positive experience, or do you feel dread due to the fear of what might or might not happen?

Right now, we are all living through an exceptionally long season of waiting. Waiting for this virus to disappear. Waiting for our next event to be canceled. Waiting for our plans to work out. Waiting to see what will happen next. Waiting for the election season to be over. Waiting for positive change, peace, and unity in our country. Waiting for things to go back to “normal”, whatever that means. 

Beyond the current crazy circumstances of 2020, each one of us is waiting for something more specific and personal. We might be waiting for the right spouse or the ideal job to come our way. We might be waiting to start a family or waiting for our prodigal child to come back home. We might be waiting for test results or the healing of a friend or family member. We might be waiting for the reconciliation of a relationship or the opportunity to make new friends.

When the waiting is exceedingly long, we naturally become exhausted, disillusioned, depressed, and frustrated. The idea of giving up flows through our minds like a raging river. We might grumble or complain about the long wait, while feeling like life is just passing us by.

In the midst of everything we experience in this life, we need to remember that God is the Creator of time and the seasons. God’s timing in everything is always perfect.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Whether we are moving or waiting, God carefully uses time to mold us and change us to be more like His Son Jesus. Through our seasons of waiting, He can perfect us and make us more beautiful. He uses time to prepare us for eternity with Him.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from the beginning to end.”   Ecclesiastes 3:11

God might have numerous reasons why He wants us to wait. Maybe God wants to do something in us or through us. Maybe He is working on the heart of a loved one or a friend. Maybe God is growing us in a certain area or preparing us for something He wants us to accomplish.

What if we could look at waiting in a different way?  

Instead of seeing it as a negative thing, we could change our perspective. Could we see waiting as a positive experience instead of something we want to desperately avoid?

With God’s help and guidance, we can view waiting in a different way:

Worship Him for who He is. 

     “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:24

Ask for God’s help, protection, wisdom, and guidance in your situation. 

     “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

Invite Him into our daily lives minute-by-minute and hour-by-hour.

     “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”  Psalm 27:4

Trust Him and His promises.

     “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.”  Psalm 145:13

The next time you feel like God is telling you to wait, you could see this as an opportunity instead of a problem. One of the benefits of waiting is watching God work in your life. The waiting will give you a chance to grow closer to Him and build a better relationship with Him. Instead of wishing for the waiting to be over, we can focus on God, His presence, His character, and His promises.

“But those who wait for Yahweh’s grace will experience divine strength. They will rise up on soaring wings and fly like eagles, run their race without growing weary, and walk through life without giving up.”  Isaiah 40:31 (The Passion Translation)

Enjoy this fun song and video by Mercy Me found bleow.

By Cheryl Sprankle

Cheryl Sprankle and her husband Dave, who live in Hagerstown, MD, have been married for 25 years. They are the blessed parents of 2 adult daughters and 1 teenage son. They enjoy living in the country with their many 4-legged friends: 2 cats, 2 dogs, and 1 horse.

Having served in many ministries within her church over the years, Cheryl enjoys using her gifts and talents to help and bless others. She loves teaching, serving, and working with women and children.

Her desire is to help others discover the many, amazing ways God has created them, and how to use their unique gifts and talents for God and His Kingdom.

Although Cheryl has worn many hats (wife, mom, home educator, teacher, mentor, crafter, and friend) during her life, her favorite hat, which is a crown, is daughter of King Jesus.