3:262 – The Waiting Game

#faithbites #faithjourney waiting

Setting

This week we had a leak in our kitchen that went into our bedroom. For the past 48 hours, we’ve had these giant fans going. I’ve been waiting. Waiting for quiet. The bedroom fan is now off but the kitchen is still on, so we wait for quiet.

I was thinking about this as it relates to our prayers, hopes, and dream. While we wait, are we doing nothing or are we still moving forward? During the fans, I’ve been working, writing, playing with the dog, and trying to go in with life. It’s not the same as I have this noise in the background, but I’m still moving forward.

While we wait for God to answer our prayers by his will, his way, and his time, are we standing still?

Scripture

• Isaiah 40:31 – But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
• Habakkuk 2:1-3 – I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay
• Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up

Reflection

Throughout the Bible we see stories of waiting. From the Israelites in the desert for 40 years, the 400 years of silence between the old and new testaments to the waiting on the second coming of the Lord. Waiting is not new.

We see though that we are to renew our strength, mount up on wings, run, not be weary, write our vision, and sow, as we will reap the rewards. Waiting doesn’t mean to stop doing.

When we cast our hopes, dreams, and fears on the Lord, they are his. We are free to keep doing good works as we wait for his answers. This isn’t easy. What we can do is find peace that we don’t have to hold onto those challenges and focus on what’s next. Let God handle it.

As I sit hear waiting for the kitchen fan to turn off, for the estimate of the damages, and what insurance will cover, I realize there is nothing I can do to make it go faster. It will be what it will be. I’ve still got work to do. Let’s do it!

Challenge

Are you waiting for something? Is it paralyzing you? Give it to God. Say your prayers, write it down, and move on. Once you realize it’s out of your control and hands, you can be free. Let God handle it.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for answering our prayers. Your timing and way is often different than what we want. When we pray, we want it answered the way we want it and we want it yesterday. You don’t work like that. Help us to know that waiting is part of life but that we also don’t need to be paralyzed by waiting. We have turned things over to you and we can just let it go.

Remind us that there is still work to be done in your kingdom and that work doesn’t wait. We love you, glorify you, and praise you. Amen.