It’s frustrating to wait for something you really want, isn’t it?
If you’re stuck on the freeway, it’s hard to wait for traffic to clear up.
If you’re in school, it’s hard to wait for graduation.
If you’re unattached, it’s hard to wait for the Right One.
If you’re employed, it’s hard to wait for vacation.
If you’re a believer, it’s hard to wait for Jesus to return.
I decided to see how many of my songs on iTunes contained the word “wait,” and found 98 such songs … including titles like “Wait for the Healing,” “I’m Waiting for the Day,” “Crying, Waiting, Hoping” “Don’t Let Me Wait Too Long,” “Wait a Million Years,” “Waiting for Lightning,” and a song simply titled, “The Waiting” … which contains the classic line, “The waiting is the hardest part.”
In a culture where we’re used to fast food, instant messages, and downloads of e-books in less than one minute, there doesn’t seem to be any benefit to waiting.
In fact, waiting is viewed as a curse, something to be obliterated by newer technology.
If you’re waiting for something right now … a job interview … medical test results … the birth of a child … improved physical and emotional health … even for the election season to be over … let me encourage you with these verses from God’s Word:
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18
Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
A few days after celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary, my wife went into the hospital for major abdominal surgery. Because she was experiencing tremendous pain, she had to undergo some tests … and one of her doctors thought he detected a mass.
My wife’s father came to give us support, and after my wife was wheeled into the operating room, we had to figure out what to do with ourselves until we received word of her condition.
We could have gone to the waiting room and remained silent … or buried our heads in books … or watched inane programs on television.
In our day, we’d play with our smart phones, or do Sudoku puzzles, or read an e-book.
But what we were really doing was just passing time until the surgeon appeared to give us news. (And when he finally emerged, she didn’t have a mass, but another problem that was resolved in the OR.)
My wife has had many procedures and operations since that first one, and I’ve had to learn how to pass the time in many waiting rooms.
It’s especially hard when the surgeon tells you a procedure will take two hours, and three hours later, you haven’t heard a thing.
But sitting in that waiting room, there is nothing you can do to hurry the process along. You have to sit there and wait.
And trust that while you’re waiting, the physician is working.
This is what our Bible tells us: that while we wait impatiently for Mr. Right, or better health, or news on the job front, our God is working on our behalf … for His glory … and our good.
While we’re waiting, He’s working.
Twila Paris has always been one of my favorite Christian musical artists. If you’re struggling with waiting right now, I encourage you to listen to the lyrics of her song, “I Will Listen” … especially these:
This is the faith, patience to wait
When there is nothing clear
Nothing to see, still we believe
Jesus is very near
I cannot imagine what will come
But I’ve already made my choice
And this is where I stand until He moves me on
And I will listen to His voice
If you’d like to listen to the song with lyrics attached, just click here:
If you’re struggling with waiting … something I know about all too well … take time to listen for His voice.
And when He speaks … act with confidence … knowing that while you’ve been waiting, He’s been working.
Restoring Kingdom Builders 
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