Holding the Line

Waiting is difficult.

This should not come as a surprise; everyone regardless of their age has had an unfortunate experience with waiting. Sometimes it is waiting in a line, waiting for someone to arrive, waiting for a diagnosis, waiting for healing, waiting for a new job or opportunity, or just waiting in general. In today's society, there is this expectation that everything should happen immediately without any type of waiting.

Honestly waiting is oftentimes annoying, frustrating, or difficult because of the length of time it entails. When waiting, there is no certainty of how long the waiting will last or what the outcome after the waiting will be. I wonder if sometimes we misuse the periods of waiting in our lives whether in a moment, circumstance, or season.

All to often society dictates that waiting be tedious and something to be borne with a grimace not with grace. That waiting is accomplished by sitting and watching life continue on and simply pausing until the waiting is over.  The waiting at the doctor's office can be filled with anxiety, fear, or worry. The waiting to land in the airplane can be filled with annoyance and frustration. The waiting in the line at the grocery store with a screaming toddler can be filled with sorrow and anger. The list of areas in which waiting occurs and the responses to the waiting are as vast as they are various.

In contrast to society, I would argue that waiting in and of itself is not a passive state. Meaning that waiting does not mean that one stops completely until the next opportunity presents itself. Rather, there is action required in the waiting. How we wait will determine our response to the opportunities that present themselves.

Psalm 27:4 says, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." While it may seems that this scripture only fits for those circumstances wherein you are waiting to hear from God, in reality this scripture applies to every situation of waiting. Regardless of the type or length of the waiting, we need to only wait for the LORD because He will show up on time and in the way that is necessary. To be strong, to take heart, and to wait are all commands given in this scripture and all are actions. All three of these commands require training and discipline to obey. Waiting requires our trust that God's plans are far bigger, brighter, and greater than anything we could think or image. Waiting requires that we seek God more than ever before. Waiting requires an active faith that keeps moving even when the world says to stop. Waiting requires courage and strength.

I believe that the waiting process is a refining process. In order for us to get to the next place, position, or step, there are things that have to be processed out of us, our lives, our relationships, our character. It is only when we go through the refining or the waiting, that we are able to take hold of the next step or part of our journey or receive the answer for which we are waiting.

So, I challenge you that the next time you find yourself waiting, instead of becoming frustrated and anxious, look around and see how God wants you to respond in that moment. Search yourself for the things within and around that need to change in order to move through the waiting. Keep strong, have faith, and endure the waiting with hope and a smile.