Waiting

What God does in us while we wait is 

as important as what it is 

we are waiting for.

Recently, I have been through a period of intense waiting. There is nothing in the world quite like waiting. Is it expectation? Is it dread? Is it excitement or worry? These emotions are all part of waiting. And usually it's not just one but all of them that crowd into our minds to confuse us.

Waiting is something that people have struggled with...since sin was introduced on our perfect globe. Humans aren't renowned for their patience - at all. Take Abraham for instance. He and is wife, Sarah grew impatient while waiting for God's promise of a son to be fulfilled. Instead of toughing out the hard times and learning more deeply what it meant to trust Jehovah, they attempted to 'help' God fulfil his own promise by using their girl-servant, Hagar as a surrogate mother. Far from fixing the situation and having them live 'happily ever after', this 'solution' not only caused problems in their own home and family but the effects are still being felt on our planet today!

And then there is the story of the Israelites. They were so close to the Promised Land! But there were still lessons which they needed to learn to be worthy of it's conquer. So back to the wilderness they were sent. For forty years! Forty years is a long time to wait! All of the murmuring, rebellious wanderers grew old and weary and died and the new, younger generation were to be the ones to enter the new country which they would inherit. They had been born and become adults in an environment where even their daily necessities were supplied by God in a very tangible way. Manna. Water from a rock?!

Happy is the person who learns

to wait and never loses his patience,

for God's time is the 

best time.

There are many reasons why God may ask us to wait; many lessons to be learned during a season of waiting.

• Trust. Times of spring and summer, laughter and sunshine show us the beauty of God's love, but it is only in the times of uncertainty and waiting that we can really discover the deepness of His faithfulness. Being able to relax in the palms of His almighty hands is something that is learned by times of trial and it is the basis of a worry and stress free life. Never doubting God or His promise to work 'all together for good' is the most blessed and deep assurance you can have in this world. Trust in His plan and rest in His love.
• Contentment. Sometimes, in our seasons of waiting, we are so concerned over the answer that will come at the end of the waiting that this causes us to be unable to relax in the arms of God. "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11) Discontent has been the cause of much unhappiness since the beginning of time. When we are surrendered to God and content with whatever answer He supplies, our joy will be contagious and the heaviness of worry will be erased from our heart.
• Loyalty. Sometimes, it takes this period of waiting to reveal who is truly the King of our heart. Sometimes we, like Abraham and Sarah of old wait impatiently for a short time and then decide to take matters into our own hands and 'help God out a little bit'. Is OUR impatience really worth so much that we are willing to forfeit the Kingdom and HIS will over it? 

Call unto Me and I will answer thee 

and show thee great and mighty things

which thou knowest not.

Dear friend, God will answer. If you are in your own ocean of uncertainty, know that He is waiting to reveal His will for you. If it is His will, there is no point Him hiding it from you. And, if you have learned the lesson He had for you to learn well, the answer will be joyous relief and blessed excitement as you observe His hand in your life. Eternal wonder and gratitude will be in your heart as you will be able to look back, remember how God has lead you in the past and never have a shadow of fear for the future.