Waiting is one of God’s favorite tools to get our attention. The Bible is full of characters who had to wait.
Noah waited for the rain. Daniel waited through the night with a den full of lions. David waited in the cave. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for the arrival of their promised son, Isaac, after waiting an entire lifetime to even get the promise in the first place. Joseph waited 13 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Moses waited 40 years to be called by God. Paul waited in prison. Even Jesus waited 30 years to begin his ministry even though he was well equipped long before.
What did these people in the Bible do while they were waiting?
While Noah waited for the rain, he got busy with what he had – a lot of wood and some specific measurements. As Daniel waited, he remained faithful in prayer and firm in his convictions. While Joseph waited in prison, he didn’t waste his energy on the question, “Why?” Instead, he focused his sights on answering, “What should I do now?” He did his best with each small task given to him and he stayed close to God. As his situation began to turn around, he was ready for every opportunity because he had not wasted his time. Likewise, Job, David, Paul and even Jesus waited patiently and began the ministry God called each of them to do.
There’s the theme in all of these stories: There is always work to be done while we’re waiting.
Sometimes the work is hands-on and physical, and other times, it’s a solitary journey of soul-searching. Sometimes the work is a discipline of noticing, being alert and aware. Sometimes it’s about being patient, loving and present. When we choose to surrender to the moment, seek to believe the moment is part of a larger story and embrace the ache of the longing, the wait is never wasted.
The Lord enters the journey of those who wait. May you continue to trust him as he reveals himself along your journey of waiting.
Dear God, You are the Maker of time. I thank you for holding every moment in your hands, even the moments of my patience — and impatience. Please show me where you are while I wait and reveal to me what I can do to serve, love and lead others even as I wait. I long to trust you with my whole life, in the doing and in the waiting. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
