What Are You Waiting For?

 

Wait on the Lord.  Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.  Wait, I say, on the Lord! ~Psalm 27:14

In today's fast paced society, it seems, "wait" has joined the dubious family of four-letter words.  I love to wait in line at the grocery store, at the doctor's office, on the phone, at a traffic light, said no one ever.  And unfortunately, our cravings for instant gratification, wanting our wants immediately, is incessantly fueled by our internet connections and smart phones.

I'm old enough to remember the days of land lines and television networks that went off the air at midnight.  You didn't have the option of seeing a show you missed because of other obligations you had to meet.

I learn that lesson early in my childhood years.  There is a favorite kids' show on a local station that airs every weekday at 5:00 p.m.  I never want to miss it, especially since my mom and dad are strict about how much television my brother and I are allowed to watch.  Imagine my dismay, not to mention disappointment, when we return home from a late afternoon dental appointment, only to discover I've missed it!

What do I do?  I grab our old analog clock off a side table and promptly turn the hands backward to before 5:00.  When my mother sees me in action, she snatches it back from me, saying, "Turning back the clock can't change what time it actually is.  You'll just have to wait (there's that word) until tomorrow when it comes on again."

Yes, whether or not I like it, I have to wait.

That is then, but this is now.  Today, I can record favorite shows to stream at my leisure, and pause a program in progress if I need to something else at the moment.  The best part about this is, when I do get back to it, I can race through all the mindless commercials to get to the meat of the broadcast.

Is this just another first world convenience?  You bet!  And I'll venture to say I'm not the only one reading this who doesn't enjoy 21st century perks.

But in other ways, not having to wait has its downside.  How can we learn patience unless conditions impose the need for us to wait?  And how can we wait productively when a desired time or place seems woefully out of reach?  My answer?  Prayer!

I confess, it's taken me many years to arrive at that revelation, but God . . .  Talking with and listening to Him is something for which we never have to wait.  He will strengthen our hearts and give us courage to face the challenges and wait-times we encounter each and every day.

And with the grace of patience seemingly in short supply these days, we can pray that we will once again come to realize its dignity, virtue and worth.  

So what are you waiting for?  Go to God in prayer today.  He will never put you on hold.

Amen!