Waiting is an Action Word

Did you know that waiting is an action word? You probably did, but until just recently, I did not. I’m running late to the party as usual!

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I thought waiting was equivalent to being stuck. Waiting, to me, sounds like being parked. Or worse, I think of being placed in timeout. Yes, indeed, I guess I think of waiting as punishment. Purgatory, perhaps.

It sounds like the commands I give to my dogs, “Sit. Wait.” And they do neither, by the way. But then it occurred to me that I’m like my dogs. I rarely just sit nor do I passively wait. Sometimes I pace while my mind runs through a list of possible outcomes. This is what it looks like to wait as an action word, absent of faith in a Big God who already has everything, including timing, figured out.

But other times I’m more productive while waiting. I’m actively engaging faith and allowing the fruit of God’s Spirit to be evident in and through me. I am thankfully, but slowly learning that this is the better way.

During those times of waiting, I’m moving on (not giving up) to care for the things that require my immediate attention. Maybe I’m cleaning out closets and drawers, or vacuuming. Perhaps my time is invested in creating beauty out of chaos by gardening, sewing or weaving. Sometimes I’m participating in service to others, which is necessary for getting my mind off myself and my issues.

Vacuuming is a great wait time activity

However, the best way, I’ve found, to wait on the Lord is first to talk to Him about the situation. Every time I begin to wonder “how long”, I ask Him and remind Him that I’m waiting. And, you know, Jesus is okay with that because He already knows my impatient heart. The point is that I feel better when I check in on His progress.

I always feel better when I converse with Jesus.

Secondly, waiting goes best for me when I’m focused on helping or serving others. If I make time to get a coffee with a friend and listen to her heart, I find that I wait more patiently. When I sign up to volunteer regularly at my church, there’s less time to think about waiting. Tuning into the needs of the people all around me, and making them more important than my wants or concerns helps me to gain a fresh perspective.

“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭36‬-‭37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I promise you, I will be the last one to sign up for a long period of waiting. So, please know that if you’ve been waiting and are still waiting on the Lord, I have great compassion. I’m with you – still waiting for some big prayers to be answered.

Let’s remember together all the times past when God has been more than faithful and abundantly generous. Let’s take heart that He is good, and He knows what He is doing. Let’s talk to Him often, checking in about our waiting list. And let’s remember to be active in our waiting; encouraging one another all the way. And lastly, let’s remember to cheer loudly when one of us doesn’t have to wait any longer!

Eyes on Jesus and Shine,
Lisa

Something to ponder with Jesus:

What helps you to wait patiently before the Lord?

How have you seen your active waiting honor God?

Is there a conversation you need to have with Jesus regarding your waiting list?

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, You see me waiting. I know there’s purpose in waiting, but You know I get anxious. Please teach me to trust You while I wait. Show me who I can reach out to and help while I wait. Help me to wait actively and show faith over fear in the process. Thank You for hearing me, and caring about everything in my life. In Your name I pray. Amen.