Sherri Evans

Sherri Evans

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Made Great in the Wait




"31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. " Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

Last week I was "blessed"  with the opportunity to wait.  We waited at the hospital for 12 hours.  I waited at a doctor's office, and I waited at a pharmacy.  At one point, I had to stifle a giggle so as not to be rude.  Waiting people are not pretty people. 

When the wait first begins, people sit upright in their chair, looking fresh and thumbing through glossy magazines, engaging in light banter with other co-waiters.  But in time, the posture slumps, the magazine is tossed aside and conversation becomes less lively.  At the end of waiting, many people slide down in their chair- if their waiting is long, they may lay down right in a public place!  In time their eyes are glazed over.  Dead eyes.  Their faces, a grimace.  Their eyes resolute. "I will wait forever" becomes their refrain.

As I observed - and participated in- this phenomena, I realized how I must look in the Spirit most of the time.  In God's economy, we are always in the waiting room for one reason or a another.  We wait for direction, we wait for provision, we wait for opportunity, we wait for others to surrender to God.  In the waiting room our character is molded and shaped.  The rough edges are sanded off.  If there is any impatience in us, the wait will show it.  If there is any depth of character or abiding faith, it too, will have a chance to show forth while in the wait.

I am not to the place in life that I thought I would be. At this age, I thought I would already "be" what I dreamed of being.  Vocation/career wise.  But instead, I realize I am still in the motion of becoming.  Instead of looking ahead to a retirement in 20 years, I am hoping to have reached the place in ministry that I have been waiting 20 years to see.  Yes, 20 long years of waiting .  Of showing hope, impatience, and at times, apathy.

Waiting upon the Lord can be as hard as waiting in a doctor's office for service, or a hospital lobby for news.  But if we are plugged in to Him during the wait, our strength can renew.  We can garner strength to mount up with wings of eagles, to soar above the problem, to gain a loftier, God-sized view.  We can sit aright in our chair.  We can begin to walk briskly and find our feet breaking into a run.  As He infuses us with His power.  We can wait with grace.  Our waiting does not have to be in vain.  It can be fruitful.  Advantageous.  For not only us, but for those in our sphere of influence.
As we waited in different waiting areas, each time, as we set up camp, we quickly identified the areas of the room near an outlet.  We're a modern family!  We all have cell phones, tablets and even laptops to plug in.  We came with our batteries charged.  But we know the wait can wax long.  For hours. For eons.  So, we must be near a power source!

As you wait, are you plugged into THE power source?  Are you remaining steadfast in prayer?  Is the Word your firm foundation?  If not, you will likely faint in the wait.  Charge up, my friend!  You were made to soar!  You were created to run!

Dear God, I pray, today for those who are waiting.  Renew, refresh, and recharge their souls.  Let them sense your nearness.  Enable them to find purpose in the wait.  And peace.  As we wait for Your imminent return, let us wait expectantly and not be lulled to sleep by the much waiting.  Infuse us with your power and your Spirit.  In Jesus' mighty name, I pray!  Amen.



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