4:174 – Is Waiting A Spectator Sport?

#faithbites #faithjourney spectator

Setting

What does waiting look like to you? Yesterday we talked about waiting for the Lord. For me, waiting is like being a spectator for the sport of my life. I’m watching it go by, counting the days until my prayers are answered.

A friend of mine said she has thought a lot about the waiting game and decided not to be a spectator in her own life. She said that while we need to wait for the Lord’s timing, there are things we can do. We can pray continuously (1 Thessalonians 5:17), serve others, love unconditionally, dive into God’s word, and (in my words) be a good human to others. We don’t have to just hunker down and wait.

Today’s Questions: When God isn’t answering your questions right away, what are you doing? How are you becoming active in your own life while still letting God take control?

Scripture

• Psalm 5:3 – Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – pray continually
• 1 Peter 4:10 – As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
• 1 Peter 4:8 – Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
• Job 1:8 – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
• Ephesians 6:18 – And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Reflection

We are all in the waiting place, as described by Dr. Suess, from time to time. We have the choice to be spectators or be actives. As we see from the verses above, God calls his people to action. We can pray, serve, love, study, and become better servants of God while await his answers. Not only that, but through our studies and serving, God will reveal more and more.

A friend once told me that every time the reread the bible, or even similar verses, they get something new out of it. Same is true here. God will point you to what you need to learn, either in his word or through circumstances in your life. We just need to listen.

As we close, remember while waiting is hard, you don’t have to be a spectator in your own life. You can actively serve while waiting. This will help pass the time, build relationships with those around you, and give God additional ways to share what he wants you to learn.

Prayer

Father God, you say you will answer our prayers and we believe you. Sometimes it is hard for us to just sit back and wait. We are learning that we can wait and be active. We don’t have to be spectators in the waiting place.. Today we pray that you will help us find ways to serve, dig deeper into your word, and love others even when we don’t have all the answers. It’s not our place to know everything, but ours to listen, learn, and love. We pray for your guidance and help as we wait for your answers. IN your name, Amen.