4 Ways to Wait Well
As I have gotten older, I have noticed a lot of life is waiting. Waiting for the kids to sleep through the night, waiting for them to be out of diapers, waiting in line at the store, waiting for vacations, waiting for test results, waiting for payday (can I get an “Amen!”), waiting for grandkids, etc.
So, what are we to do? How do we wait well? How can we live the abundant life Jesus died to give us while we are waiting (John 10:10)?
Pray
One thing we may find we have while waiting is time - time to pray. This is an opportunity for concentrated prayer in a variety of areas since there is never a lack of people/issues in need. Think of things that truly concern you - the salvation of family members, the state of our nation, Christian persecution, etc. The Lord may be wooing you to come close for love, comfort, and to impart wisdom like a parent who lovingly says, “Let’s talk”.
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:17-18 ESV)
Wait in Hopeful Expectation
God will do what He says He will do. The challenge in waiting is we don’t always know when that will be. In Genesis 37 we see Joseph who was a teenager when he had a couple of dreams he proudly shared with his family. He dreamed his parents and brothers would one day bow down to him. His brothers hated him for it and sold him off as a slave telling their father he had been killed. Falsely accused, Joseph ended up in prison. Things looked very bleak, but what is noteworthy is Joseph never lost his faith- never lost his hope in God. Like us, Joseph did not know the future, but through all his trials, he continued to honor, trust, and worship the Lord. The Lord continued to refine him, preparing him to become the second in command of Egypt and save his people from famine. God had a plan and Joseph would wait 13 years for the fulfillment of his dreams.
But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Genesis 50:19-20 ESV)
Join God in His Work
We don’t have to look to far to see those in need. God is always working and invites us to join Him in His work (John 5:17, 1 John 3:17). If you are not sure, pray and trust the Lord will show you the next right thing. Everything from making a nice meal for your family to calling and checking on someone who could use a listening ear, to volunteering at a local shelter, etc. The possibilities are endless. When we focus on helping others, it takes our minds off our waiting and buoys our spirits with a surge of endorphins at the same time.
In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” (John 5:17 NIV)
Leave a Legacy
If you are like me - and time machines were a thing- you’d go back in time so you could get to know your ancestors. What was their life like? How did they handle life’s ups and downs? What role did their faith play in their lives if any? I’m hearing how more and more people are blessed by a family member who wrote their life story. If that seems daunting, don’t worry. There are many ways to share your life story and bless and encourage those who will come after you. There’s digital scrapbooking, digital audio recordings, journaling, etc.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. (Psalm 17:17-19 NIV)
Don’t Stop Living
While waiting, the moments may feel as if they drag. But remember those moments turn into minutes, which turn into hours, which turn into days. They are fleeting and gone. Resist the temptation to neglect other priorities in your life while you wait. Becoming a hermit will not reduce the waiting! Family, friends, work, your Bible study group, etc. all still need us to be active and present in their lives. May we pray for wisdom as Moses did when he penned the years of our life are “soon gone and we fly away” (vs. 10):
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 ESV)
What do you do while waiting??
