The art of waiting

I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of waiting.  I, like so many I know, are in this strange transition period of life. This time we call…the twenties.

Not all people in other age groups are free from seasons of waiting.  In fact, most of life may be a waiting period.  As Christians, we could really view our whole lives as waiting seasons.  We are always waiting, always longing, for our reunion with Christ.  Our hearts are never fully satisfied until the day when we see Him face to face.  That is why no matter how perfect our life may be here, we always long for more.

That word…longing…I’ve never really thought much about it before.  Until I read this: “God’s delay in answering the prayer of our longing heart is the most loving thing God can do.”

WHAT.

The most loving thing He can do?  The most loving thing He, the Creator of the Universe, can do is to make me wait? 

On the flip side: “Our waiting may be the most difficult thing we can do; it may be the severest test that God can give us.”

I really don’t love waiting. It is not one of my favorite pastimes, it is not necessarily one of my strengths.  But where I am at right now, I am trying to figure out how to wait well.  How can I honor God in my waiting? 

We can rest in this: God’s plan is perfect.  His timing is perfect.

John Macbeath said this:

“Take this text with you into the future, take it into today’s experience: ‘Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid…I go to prepare a place for you.’  He is out in the world doing it.  He will be there before you.  He will bring you to your appointed place, and you will find your appointed resources.  You will discover His insight, His oversight, and His foresight.  You may not always see Him, but you can walk by faith in the dark if you know that He sees you, and you can sing as you journey, even through the night.”

Even when I feel stuck, like my dreams are on hold, or I'm lost and my life is directionless…He goes before me.  Even when I am anxious to adventure, but feel Him calling me to wait…He has perfect plans.  And in the meantime, He is with me now.   He is not somewhere out there (cue ‘Fievel’) waiting for me to catch up.  Even in my messy, boring, mundane, everyday-ness, He is keeping me company.  And you too.  And somehow, maybe, we can rest – and wait – in that.