Waiting...
By Erik Farstad
October 31, 1997
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1
Who likes to wait! None of us really, let’s be honest. We always want things now, microwave dinners, fast food, one hour photo and cell phones. We live in a world that is speeding up, while we are trying to play catch up. Let me ask you something, what do you do when you wait? Do you walk around impatiently, huff and puff or perhaps just sit and stare? Waiting is probably the most unique period of one’s life. It allows for the opportunity to TRUST!
As Christians, we all need to be seeking the Lord’s will, His calling, guidance and direction for our lives. Your guide is God, he is the quarter back. You are the running back. He hands you the ball and you run right? Well waiting creates a new play to this game. Suddenly you become a wide receiver. He tells you in the huddle to run a certain pattern and then He’ll throw you the ball. But you want the hand-off!!! So He hands you the ball but the other team blitz’ and you get sacked for a loss. The quarter back picks you up and says, let’s run the passing play and I promise you’ll score. So you run your route. Now this passing route seems to go on forever, you run for what seems like ages waiting for the ball. Suddenly the ball is in your hands and you are in the end zone. You’ve scored because you waited for the right play, the right pass, instead of wanting the quick run that turned into a sack!
What does this analogy have to do with waiting? First, realize that being a running back does not mean success. Just because you get to handle the ball sooner doesn’t mean you’re always going to score. In life this means wanting to have the job now, the boy/girlfriend now, in short you want life’s pleasures and victories NOW. If you call Christ your Savior and Lord, than by that acknowledgment you should TRUST that He will provide. Yet, he may desire you to be a wide receiver first.
Waiting on the Lord, requires us to run the routes, maneuver around the defenses in order to receive the touch down pass. But why must we wait? Well, think about what you learn while waiting for the pass. This is your special time between you and God to strengthen your relationship. By spending time with Him in prayer, in His word and listening to His voice, you will grow closer to Him than if you didn’t have all that time waiting. Perhaps that is why you must wait, He wants you closer to Him! Waiting is not easy, but it is an opportunity for growth in your love relationship with Christ.
So if you’re the type that while waiting sits and pouts, it may be time to change. Just because you’re waiting doesn’t mean the world has stopped. While you wait you have a unique opportunity to spend more time loving God, serving others and telling others about His work in your life.
Let this be your prayer today:
Dear Lord, forgive me when I am impatient and want things on my time. Today, I choose your peace and trust to guide me to where you want me moving and working. May I not become anxious, but wait patiently for you to throw me the ball of "opportunity." May I always seek your counsel, desire to run your plays and love with your heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Christ will never leave you nor forsake you, TRUST Him! In Him, "E"