"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.
