I always thought of myself as a pretty patient person. But lately I've come to realize that being passive (something I've been lovingly accused of) about something does not necessarily constitute patience in waiting. I think waiting is actually more active than it is passive. It implies a sense of prayerful expectation, doesn't it? Was Jacob waiting when he wrestled with the angel at the brook? Was Noah waiting while he built the ark?
What does waiting look like for you? What are you waiting for? And how do you know when the answer comes? (most likely just questions to be answered within your heart!) (and a p.s. in response to Becky's comment below - isn't the answer sometimes more than just something we "get"? Seems like sometimes it comes in the form of just clarity or direction or renewed hope.)
In the meantime, I'm returning to my own little waiting game! Leaving you with some lyrics that have blessed me in recent days:
When I am tired You bring me comfort
(I will wait; I will wait for You)
When I am weak You give me strength
(I will wait; I will wait for You)
When I can't walk You give me wings like an eagle
(I will wait; I will wait for You)
When I'm alone You bring me peace
(I will wait)
I will wait for Your mercy
I will wait for Your plan to unfold
I will wait for Your mercies are new every morning
When I am wounded You heal my broken bones
(I will wait; I will wait for You)
And when I sing You fill my heart with joy
(I will wait; I will wait for You)
And when I fear the unknown You give me peace
(I will wait; I will wait for You)
And when I call, You always answer me
(I will wait)
We wait for You like watchmen wait for morning
We wait for You like creation waits for spring
We wait for You knowing sometimes without warning
You reveal Your plan in ways that maybe we don't understand Aaron Shust (Whispered and Shouted)
God, the one and only—
I'll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him,
so why not?
He's solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I'm set for life. Psalm 62:5-6 (The Message)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Waiting Game
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6 comments:
Thanks for those insightful thoughts on waiting. God is also teaching me much about waiting. I still have much to learn.
It's nice to have you back. Missed you!
We've been waiting for 2 1/2 yrs. To the point of real discouragment, which is what prompted my bloggy vacation last week.
My conclusion ... waiting stinks!
Well, it was a little more spiritual than that. Really ... what if we never get what we are waiting for? What if we feel God chooses not to give it to us? Where does that leave us in our relationship with Him? That was the question I finally felt Him putting to me last week.
God is still God. And regardless of whether I get what I thought He wanted to give ... or not ... I have to choose whether to love Him or not.
My job is not to force the supposed promise (like Sarah in the OT) but to rest in the fact that He always fulfills them His way. In His time.
And sometimes that really does stink.
This is very timely for me. I tend to either want to FIX the situation (whatever it is) myself, or I try to entirely block it out of my mind (which isn't really what waiting is all about, I don't think). David said in Psalm 5:3: "in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." There is definitely a watching and anticipating that goes along with waiting on the Lord.
Chad told me the other night that I should "actively, purposely, consciously wait" on God. Easier said than done for me, but I'm working on it.
Great thoughts! I think I'm like Katrina--fixing and doing. However, I think that my husband and I have developed the skill of hearing God's direction, but that's more like following. Waiting is harder.
Really good thoughts Dianne...waiting is hard. And maybe hard these days because I think we have such an "instant" society. That last line of your song is good, He reveals his plan in ways that we don't always understand.
Becky and Katrina's comments are good too!
Waiting is hard and I too believe it is not passive. It's an expectant heart. It's praying. It's all about trust.
Loved these lyrics.
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