Our days and lives are filled with waiting. For good, for bad, for new, for people, for change. (For pandemics to end!) Waiting is a God-designed practice.
However, as the worn, torn magazines in waiting rooms around the world can attest, patience in the waiting isn’t a natural virtue.
Waiting makes some of us crazy.
In fact, I’m pretty sure if God wanted to test us before we entered heaven to see how much we learned on earth, my exam would be “Sit right here. He’ll call you when He’s ready.”
I’d be pacing the clouds, trying to get through to the Lord via the prayer line: “Hello God. You brought me here. This is the appointment you set. How is it you are not on time?!”
What maddens me most about waiting is the helpless feeling of having no control over what’s going on. Waiting seems passive, and I am not passive.
Truthfully though, waiting isn’t a passive process.
Much like active listening, active waiting is a participatory activity.
[bctt tweet=”Much like active listening, active waiting is a participatory activity.” username=”PatHolbrook @BethanyMcIlrath”]
Active waiting looks like:
- Preparing
- Anticipating
- Hoping
- Being brave and courageous
- Watching
These are words God features in His Word. They are spoken by God in reference to His call to wait.
With a brief look at what God says about waiting, I’m finding the idea “godly waiting” means sitting quietly doing nothing while completely at peace is just plain wrong.
We shouldn’t wait on the Lord feigning patience.
We can actively wait, participating as God does with a patience that anticipates.
His example of waiting isn’t glamorous or easy, but it’s clear:
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” –2 Peter 3:9
Waiting isn’t about speed or suffering, but being purposeful.
[bctt tweet=”Waiting isn’t about speed or suffering, but being purposeful.” username=”PatHolbrook @BethanyMcIlrath”]
God’s waiting is done with the perfect, purposeful patience of One who knows the wait is worth it.
God believes you and I are worth waiting for- that all people still coming to repentance are worth the wait.
In waiting, He does not sit idly by. He exposes our need for repentance and brings us to it. He offers forgiveness. He enjoys transforming every person up until the last one He is waiting on.
With God, waiting isn’t about the end, but about the beginning.
[bctt tweet=”With God, waiting isn’t about the end, but about the beginning.” username=”PatHolbrook @BethanyMcIlrath”]
We wait as those preparing, anticipating, hoping, being brave, and watching carefully because there are new beginnings brought about by the Lord Himself.
It doesn’t matter if you’re waiting on good news or bad. Whether you’re waiting for dreams to be realized or simply for something to change. Maybe you feel all that’s left to wait for is an end of some sort.
Wait assured: God has a beginning ready for you and your “not yet” time is not a wasted time. Instead, your waiting is participation in God’s plan for your life. No sitting-on-hands required- they have a big job to do praying. No self-muttering needed- you have Someone waiting with you.
He’s demonstrated it for all of time to know: waiting is a purposeful place of peace, joy, and growth for the faithful.
(A version of this post was previously published here)
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[bctt tweet=”LINKUP is open! Today, my friend @BethanyMcIlrath shares great perspective on God’s purpose in our waiting. Join us?” username=”PatHolbrook”]
Thank you for this important truth. The time we spend waiting is no more inactive than a drop of pond water–even though we don’t necessarily see all the teeming life. I want to do better at believing and acting on this.
No more inactive than a drop of water- wow, Michele, does that grab me! Thanks for that illustration! I want to believe and act better on this, too.
This is such a truth filled post! I’ll be reading this a few times today as I want to learn to be a more active waiter.
Thank you, Joanne! I need to reread and remember this all too. Praying we both can be active waiters today.
I love this truth. If we think of a waiter, he’s not standing around waiting for something to do. He’s actively serving. The waiting servants in the Luke 12 parable were supposed to be getting ready and doing the master’s will until He came. May we do the same.
Wow, what a great illustration. I have to admit I never thought about the term “waiter” thoroughly. Amen! May we do the same!
“Waiting is the helpless feeling of having no control over what’s going on” This holds true to me as well. And I agree, I should learn waiting is not suffering but purposeful. Your post is so touching. Every word is written with heart! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! I’m just really bad at waiting, so I think, read, and pray on this topic a lot!! Praying we both wait well today!
Bethany, patience does not come naturally to me. I need to exercise faith and trust. Wonderful post!
Thank you, Debbie! I need to, too! Glad we can all encourage each other to wait on the Lord!
This is SO good, Bethany. Even more so knowing your recent experience in life’s waiting room, and how all THAT turned out. 🙂 I’ve had my share of fits on God when I didn’t think I could wait another second, but His timing and purposes have always been for my good. And, turns out, I’ve always been able to wait lot longer than I think I can. Hugs, friend.
Thanks, Lois! I think this is the 3rd time this post has been published over the years…and I still need it EVERY time!! Praise God for His faithfulness and so many affirmations that His timing is perfect and His purposes are always for good. Hugs back, friend!
Such a good reminder during this time…as hard as it may be!
It is a hard time for waiting! Glad we can encourage each other to trust Him in the wait!
Bethany, I love this. I really like all the points you make about how waiting is active. So good. And this is gold: “Waiting is a God-designed practice.”
Thank you, Karen! Praise God He is worthy of our waiting!